Discussion:
Pray for the World
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Rowland Croucher
2004-07-11 23:53:54 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 2:19 AM
Subject: [HCJBDaily] 9 July 2004 Update From HCJB World Radio

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Today's Headlines:

SWEDISH PASTOR IMPRISONED FOR 'OFFENDING HOMOSEXUALS' IN SERMON
CHRISTIANS IN RURAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
DEAN THREATENS TO EXPEL UZBEK STUDENTS FOR TIES TO 'BANNED SECT'
WORLD VISION TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
PROPOSED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW IN U.S. GETS DIVERSE SUPPORT
ARTIST SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ART COMPETITION IN U.S.

Today's News Stories:

SWEDISH PASTOR IMPRISONED FOR 'OFFENDING HOMOSEXUALS' IN SERMON
A Swedish court has sentenced Pentecostal pastor Ake Green to a month in
prison after he was found guilty of "offending homosexuals" in a 2003
sermon. Green had described homosexuality as "abnormal, a horrible cancerous
tumor in the body of society." Responding to the sentence, Soren Andersson,
president of the Swedish federation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender rights, said that religious freedom could never be used as a
reason to offend people. "Therefore," he told journalists, "I cannot regard
the sentence as an act of interference with freedom of religion." Sweden
passed a constitutional amendment in 2002, including sexual orientation in a
list of groups protected against "unfavorable speech." A similar law (Bill
C-250) was passed recently in Canada. While opinions based on a religious
text were excluded from the Canadian law, many advocates fear that this
clause may prove insufficient to protect Canadian clergy from similar
action. (Voice of the Martyrs/Ecumenical News International)

CHRISTIANS IN RURAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
A number of Christians in Ethiopia have been imprisoned or remain in hiding
because of their faith in Christ, said a member of Voice of the Martyrs who
recently visited the town of Alaba, 200 miles southeast of the capital of
Addis Ababa. During his visit to the predominantly Muslim area, he met with
various persecuted Christians. Two months ago five church leaders were
imprisoned by local authorities, accused of speaking against Islam, the
Koran and the religious leader of Alaba. Mohamed, a convert to Christianity,
has been held in prison for a year without any formal charges. Another
believer, Ajee Sheka Osman, remains in hiding. He is being chased by his
sons who have been promised money and a trip to Mecca by Muslim leaders if
they kill their father. Church leaders are helping hide Osman to protect his
life. Muslim leaders in Alaba are working to eradicate Christianity in the
community, which they consider to be a holy place. Christian youths are
regularly harangued as Muslim scholars engage them in conversations,
deliberately intending to confuse them and turn them from their faith.
(Voice of the Martyrs)

DEAN THREATENS TO EXPEL UZBEK STUDENTS FOR TIES TO 'BANNED SECT'
Protestant students continue to face pressure in the town of Nukus, capital
of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan in northwestern Uzbekistan. In
June, Dina Mamyrbayeva, dean of the Romance and Germanic literature faculty
at Karakalpak University, summoned three Protestant students and told them
she had received a letter from the country's National Security Service
(NSS), identifying the students as members of a "banned Protestant sect."
She threatened them with expulsion if they didn't stop visiting "sect
members." University Rector Kuanyshbai Niyazov refused to confirm or deny
the threats, but no students have yet been expelled. On June 5 police
officers raided the home of another Nukus Protestant, Miyrasa Uralbayeva,
warning that if she didn't stop preaching Christianity she would have drugs
planted on her and be put in prison for years. (Forum 18 News Service)

WORLD VISION TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
World Vision, one of the world's largest Christian humanitarian
organizations, will play a key role in the 15th annual International AIDS
Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, July 11-16. World Vision staff members were
on the planning committee -- some are plenary speakers while others are
chairing workshops. This will be the first time that faith-based
organizations will be featured at the conference. Many such groups
attending the conference two years ago faced hostility, and there is concern
that this could happen again. Asia has become a major battleground for AIDS.
Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand have been fighting the epidemic for more than
a decade with mixed success. (Mission Network News)

PROPOSED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW IN U.S. GETS DIVERSE SUPPORT
A proposed law could make it easier for employees to express their religious
beliefs at work. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2003 (Senate Bill
893) is expected to get plenty of attention in the U.S. Congress this
year -- and that's just fine with Nathan Diament who directs the Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations in America. "It will encourage, not mandate,
employers to allow employees to have flexible scheduling so they can observe
religious holy days, to wear religious clothing to the workplace, and to
observe other religious practices, provided they don't compromise the
workers' abilities to perform the essential functions of their job," he
explains. Diament says the legislation is being supported by a diverse
coalition of religious groups ranging from Southern Baptists to Orthodox
Jews. (Religion Today/Agape Press)

ARTIST SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ART COMPETITION IN U.S.
Kentucky artist Stephen Sawyer is sponsoring the first National Christian
Art Competition in an effort to encourage artists of all ages to "use and
showcase their gifts for God's glory." Sawyer, perhaps best known for his
paintings of Christ as part of his "Art for God" series, says Christian
artists have a huge responsibility. "What we can accomplish in serving the
kingdom through art is phenomenal -- and the responsibility that goes with
talent, I think, is commensurate with that." Sawyer is looking for the
creators of "contemporary, radical and compassionate Christian art." He adds
that the competition is the "first to honor and award schools, churches and
teachers as well as the artists." Sawyer and his wife, Cindy, fellow artist
and co-owner of Art for God, will judge the entries. More than $8,000 in
cash awards will be handed out. Deadline for entries is Oct. 15. For details
visit www.art4god.com. (Religion Today/Agape Press)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://ameliasgranddad.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-07-14 01:26:21 UTC
Permalink
Subject: [HCJBDaily] 13 July 2004 Update From HCJB World Radio

Today's Headlines:

PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT DRAFTS BILL TO REVISE 'BLASPHEMY' LAWS
VIETNAM'S MONTAGNARD REFUGEES FACE NEW DANGERS IN CAMBODIA
HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA CONTINUE TO HOLD PASTOR'S WIFE CAPTIVE
MINISTRIES TO SEND 54,000 BIBLES TO PERSECUTED COLOMBIAN BELIEVERS
MULTINATIONAL MISSION TEAMS FIND SUCCESS REACHING MUSLIMS

Today's News Stories:

PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT DRAFTS BILL TO REVISE 'BLASPHEMY' LAWS
In the face of a growing international campaign for the repeal of the
blasphemy laws and the Hudood ordinances, the Pakistani government announced
last week that it would introduce a new bill to revise these laws. The
amendments would also criminalize so-called "honor" killings. The news was
announced Thursday, July 8, by Pakistani Justice Minister Raza Hayat Hiraj
who said the draft would be presented to the country's cabinet for approval.
It was subsequently tabled in the National Assembly, and is being studied by
the Council of Islamic Ideology. The bill was drafted with input from the
Supreme Court which has already ruled that "honor killings" should be
considered murder. The government's move to reform these laws comes after
the killings of several Christians in recent months, including Samuel Masih,
accused of blasphemy, and Javed Anjum, murdered by mullahs at a madrassah
(Islamic school). International pressure has mounted against the Pakistani
authorities to take action to curb religious intolerance, and last month
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called for "scrutiny" of the blasphemy
laws and Hudood ordinances and an end to "honor killings." The Hudood
ordinances, introduced in 1979, deal with Islamic laws relating to criminal
acts. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

VIETNAM'S MONTAGNARD REFUGEES FACE NEW DANGERS IN CAMBODIA
Christian Montagnards who recently fled repression in Vietnam are now facing
a hostile backlash on Cambodian soil. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is
considering sending troops into his country's forested northeast to root out
more than 200 Montagnards who fled Vietnam's central highlands after a
police crackdown on protesters last April. The protesters were seeking land
and religious rights. The refugees have been living off tubers and rainwater
in Cambodia's malaria-ridden jungles for months. Local hill tribe sources
told the Cambodia Daily that up to 250 Montagnards may be hiding in the
border region, and some have fallen seriously ill. Groups of the Montagnards
have been photographed and interviewed by local newspaper reporters. The
Cambodian government has alternately denied the refugees' existence, called
them illegal immigrants, or accused them of plotting a separatist movement,
AsiaNews reported. Local and international human rights groups have
criticized the Cambodian government's handling of the situation. Only the
Cambodian Red Cross, headed by Hun Sen's wife, Bun Rany, says that aiding
the refugees falls outside its mandate of helping natural disaster victims.
The Vietnamese government has denied the existence of Montagnard refugees
and barred international agencies and reporters from entering the central
highlands at the time of the protests. (WorldWide Religious News)

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA CONTINUE TO HOLD PASTOR'S WIFE CAPTIVE
Hindu extremists who kidnapped the wife of a Christian pastor in India six
weeks ago are still holding her captive. Local police officers have refused
to make any attempt to find Manulaben Dinana, 23. They have also refused to
question the kidnappers who were identified by eyewitnesses as members of a
local group of Hindu extremists. Dinana is the wife of pastor Dharmesh
Ninama, who himself has been assaulted twice by the same group -- once in
2002 and again last year. Despite ongoing appeals to the director general of
police, the State Human Rights Commission and State Women's Commission,
officials have taken no action. Meanwhile, Dinana remains in captivity and
her husband fears for her life. (Religion Today/Compass)

MINISTRIES TO SEND 54,000 BIBLES TO PERSECUTED COLOMBIAN BELIEVERS
A pair of Christian ministries have joined forces to bring hope and
encouragement to thousands of Colombian believers who face persecution from
FARC guerrillas. Bibles for the World (BFTW) is working in conjunction with
Voice of the Martyrs to distribute 54,000 Bibles in the hill country of
Colombia, says BFTW spokesman Eric Foley. "The guerrillas become very
threatened anytime that anyone accepts Jesus Christ, because when they
accept Christ they drop out of the guerrilla army and instead serve a
different master. In order to make an example of people who have become
Christians, they literally will go and slaughter Christians -- either
torturing them, or simply shooting them and killing them for making a
profession of Jesus Christ." Foley says time is crucial. "These are
Christians whose lives are in danger from the moment they make a profession.
And we want to get them Bibles as quickly as possible so that they can grow
in Christ and share their faith with others." Colombia is BFTW's July
project in its "Billion Bible Campaign." (Mission Network News)

MULTINATIONAL MISSION TEAMS FIND SUCCESS REACHING MUSLIMS
As the war on terror continues around the world, Muslim outreach has been a
challenge for missionaries. They're required to make security a top
priority, forcing Westerners to stress their citizenship in Christ, says
Steve Strauss of SIM, a ministry that works with Muslims worldwide. "It's
important to distinguish who we are as believers in Jesus Christ and
disciples from who we may be in our earthly citizenship," he says. "In many
Muslims' minds there is no difference between a Christian and a Westerner,
and many of our missionaries are going through great pains to show that
there is a difference." Strauss says many Muslims are coming to Christ
through SIM's multinational teams. "In one country where we're doing a lot
of work with Muslims, our team consists of Westerners, Koreans and other
Asians, Latin Americans and some Africans. That kind of multinational
approach destroys any accusation that the gospel is a Western creation."
(Mission Network News)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
James A. Ferrier

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://ameliasgranddad.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-07-19 23:04:33 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 4:22 AM

Today's Headlines:

ARMED MEN MURDER ANOTHER PROMINENT INDONESIAN CHURCH LEADER
PASTOR, ASSOCIATE IN INDIA RELEASED ON BAIL AFTER 6 WEEKS IN JAIL
HINDU VILLAGERS IN INDIA EXHUME CHRISTIAN'S BODY IN CEMETERY DISPUTE
BELIEVERS IN RURAL BOLIVIAN TRIBE FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
TEACHERS HELP MISSIONARIES STAY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD LONGER
AUSTRALIAN CHURCH TO MARK BIBLE SOCIETY'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY

Today's News Stories:

ARMED MEN MURDER ANOTHER PROMINENT INDONESIAN CHURCH LEADER
In what has become a seriously disturbing trend, another prominent Christian
leader has been murdered in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Rev. Susianty
Tinulele, 26, of the Presbyterian Christian Church of Central Sulawesi in
Palu, was preaching the evening of Sunday, July 18, when attackers sprayed
her and the worship team with gunfire. Tinulele died instantly after being
shot through the head. Another woman, Desrianti Tengkede, 17, was also
killed. Three other worshipers were seriously wounded and are recovering in
a local hospital. Witnesses report that four men on motorbikes, wearing
black masks, arrived at the front door of the church and opened fire with
machine guns. The attack culminated a weekend of violence in Central
Sulawesi in which a bomb exploded outside a cultural center Saturday night.
That same evening Helmy Tombiling, 35, a well-known Christian in the area,
was stabbed to death. Jihad attackers have tried many times to reignite a
large-scale conflict in Central Sulawesi since fighting in the area from
1998 to 2001 left 2,000 people dead. In December 2001 the Malino Accord was
signed, resulting in a dramatic decline in communal clashes. However,
sporadic attacks have continued. In November 2003 Hindu extremists began
assassinating Christian leaders and conducting carefully planned machine gun
attacks on worshipers during church services. (Religious Media Agency)

PASTOR, ASSOCIATE IN INDIA RELEASED ON BAIL AFTER 6 WEEKS IN JAIL
A Christian pastor and his associate in India, jailed six weeks ago for
allegedly violating the anti-conversion law in India's eastern Orissa state,
were released on bail Wednesday, July 14. Subas Samal and Dhaneshwar Kandi
of Kilipal village had been arrested May 29 and charged with "conversion by
inducement" under the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act. Their arrest came
after local Hindu villagers forcibly shaved the heads of Samal and six local
Christian women to mark their "re-conversion" to Hinduism. After Hindu
villagers were arrested in connection with that incident, locals retaliated
by bringing charges of illegal conversion against Samal and Kandi. A court
magistrate insisted on carefully studying the men's case file before
granting bail because theirs is the first case brought under the state's
anti-conversion law. Now free, local believers are working to negotiate a
peaceful solution to the conflict with their Hindu neighbors in Kilipal.
(Religion Today/Compass)

HINDU VILLAGERS IN INDIA EXHUME CHRISTIAN'S BODY IN CEMETERY DISPUTE
Madhu Chandra, coordinator of Operation Mobilization's work in Chandigarh,
India, has appealed to the All India Christian Council to look into the case
of the body of a Christian believer that was removed from a cemetery in the
northeastern state of Manipur last week. The body was that of the mother of
the pastor in Patsoi village. She had died on Tuesday, July 13. A small
group of 25 Christians meet in Patsoi, a village of 500 homes. Local
believers had purchased land in the village so that it could be used as a
church cemetery. When the woman's body was ready to be buried in the
cemetery, many villagers protested, saying they could not have a Christian
cemetery in their village. The original landowner of the cemetery claimed
that the land was sold to the church for a park, not a cemetery. However,
the sale deed "clearly mentioned the purpose of cemetery," Chandra
explained. Christians later reburied the woman in the cemetery of a nearby
Christian village. They have appealed to local police officers in the case,
but so far the officials have taken no action. (Assist News Service)

BELIEVERS IN RURAL BOLIVIAN TRIBE FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
SIM workers say that believers among Bolivia's Aymara people are being
persecuted for their faith. Tribal leaders such as Felipe Quispe are working
to unify the Aymara communities against the Bolivian government and the
Spanish minority which control the country's resources and wealth. The
Aymaras say they have been downtrodden for 500 years and want to throw off
the rule of what they consider to be "foreigners" in their land. Aymara
leaders are pressuring local communities throughout the region to reject
evangelicals and Catholics alike and to return to the animistic beliefs of
the ancient Incas. Pastors report an increasing resistance by the Aymara
leadership against their work of evangelism, discipleship and even ministry
inside the churches. One Aymara pastor was preaching in a rural evangelical
church on a recent Sunday morning when Quispe happened to be in the same
town spreading political propaganda. After hearing that some of the
villagers were attending an evangelical church service, he tracked down the
church and interrupted the pastor's sermon. He grabbed the Bible out of his
hands and threw it on the ground, stating, "This is American propaganda. We
do not believe in this book. We believe in the Inca gods. That is what
Aymaras believe. We reject this book." (SIM)

TEACHERS HELP MISSIONARIES STAY ON THE FOREIGN FIELD LONGER
Teachers are helping missionaries stay on the mission field longer, says
Michelle Baxter who works with Greater Europe Mission, a partner in SHARE
Education Services -- a pool of educators from 14 different mission
organizations. "It's pretty difficult to have one educator to know all the
needs of a child from kindergarten all the way up to high school. So if you
pool all the educators in one area, then we can all work in our areas of
expertise." Education is a concern of all missionary families. "One of the
top three reasons that missionary families come home is because they feel
the educational needs of their kids are not being addressed, and that's
where we step in to help," Baxter says. "All sorts of teaching positions are
needed, including kindergarten teachers, speech therapists and educational
counselors. It's a perfect opportunity to make an eternal difference not
only the students, but also for those the missionaries are able to minister
while they remain on the field." (Mission Network News)

AUSTRALIAN CHURCH TO MARK BIBLE SOCIETY'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY
St. Swithun's Anglican Church in Pymble, Australia, will celebrate the 200th
anniversary of the Bible Society with a Bible-reading marathon that will go
from Monday to Saturday, July 26-31. More than 70 readers, including some
local celebrities, will take part in "Bible Aloud 200." The entire Bible
will be read aloud in 15-minute segments starting at 6:30 a.m. and ending at
10:30 p.m. daily. Pastor Roger Chilton said the marathon was being held for
two reasons. "Firstly, as chairman of Bible Society in Australia, we wanted
to celebrate the society's worldwide bicentennial, and secondly, as a local
parish church, we wanted to give the church a common task and get them
excited about telling other people about the Bible." Organizer Christopher
Clark added, "As far as we are aware, this will be the first complete public
reading ever of the Contemporary English Version of the Bible in any
church." (Bible Society New South Wales)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-07-26 10:25:30 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2004 7:09 AM

Today's Headlines:

BULGARIAN POLICE CLOSE AT LEAST 25 ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN RAIDS
AUTHORITIES REFUSE REGISTRATION OF BAPTIST CAMP IN UZBEKISTAN
INDIA MOVES TO RETRY SUSPECTS IN CASE OF ATTACK BY HINDU MOB
FOOD FOR THE POOR ANNOUNCES MASSIVE JAMAICAN PROJECT
NEW WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS SRI LANKA'S PERSECUTED CHURCH
FILMMAKER WORKS TO SAVE CROSS ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY SEAL

Today's News Stories:

BULGARIAN POLICE CLOSE AT LEAST 25 ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN RAIDS
Bulgarian police have evicted dissident Orthodox priests from dozens of
churches nationwide which they have occupied in defiance of a 2001 law that
handed their property to the traditional church. The priests broke from the
mainstream church after the fall of communism, saying the patriarch had been
too close to the former authoritarian regime. The Bulgarian Helsinki
Committee, a human rights watchdog group, condemned the Bulgarian government
after police conducted the largest crackdown on the clergy since the
collapse of communism. "Some 25 churches have been closed," said Interior
Ministry spokesperson Sonya Momchilova in an interview with Reuters, adding

that more closures could follow. Rebel priests disputed the numbers, saying
that up to 250 churches were shut down. The raids were carried out in Sofia,
Plovdiv, Smoljan, Bansko, Chepelare and other cities with a prosecutor's
warrant. During the coordinated raids, which started in the early-morning
hours of Wednesday, July 21, police stormed into the facilities, sealed the
doors and drove out the clergy. In a BBC interview, Father Inokentii said
the closures amounted to persecution "like in Roman times." Buses full of
clergy and parishioners were expected to arrive at the Bulgarian capital of
Sofia Thursday, July 22, to protest the decision of the prosecutor's office
and the actions taken by police forces. (BosNewsLife/BBC)

AUTHORITIES REFUSE REGISTRATION OF BAPTIST CAMP IN UZBEKISTAN
Local authorities in Uzbekistan have written to the Baptist Union protesting
a holiday camp it owns near the capital of Tashkent, effectively closing it
down. Rakhmatullo Ilyasov, first deputy head of Bostanlyk district
administration, confirmed that the camp had been refused registration. It
was reported that World War II veterans had objected that the camp, near the
village of Kizil-Su, was partially located on the site of an old cemetery
and therefore should be refused registration by the state land registry, but
local veterans have denied this. Villagers in Kizil-Su said the authorities
have encouraged protests against the Baptist camp. Not recognized as having
the right to own the property, the Baptists could be ordered to leave the
facility at any time. (Forum 18 News Service)

INDIA MOVES TO RETRY SUSPECTS IN CASE OF ATTACK BY HINDU MOB
When a Hindu mob stormed a bakery and killed 14, including two Muslims
burned alive in ovens, the gruesome crime became the symbol of religious
violence that gripped India two years ago, leaving nearly 1,000 people dead.
Now, in what appears to be a second chance for justice, the Best Bakery case
moved one step toward retrial this week. The first trial, held in May 2003
in the state of Gujarat where the massacre took place, ended in the
acquittal of all 21 of the accused rioters after the victims changed their
testimony. Last April the Indian Supreme Court ordered a retrial in another
state, calling state officials "modern-day Neros" for ignoring the
complaints of witnesses that they had been politically harassed and
pressured to change their testimony by police and state officials. The
opportunity for another trial in this cornerstone case is seen as an
important chance to resolve a major irritant in Hindu-Muslim relations and a
chance to chip away at the pervasive problem of witness tampering in the
Indian justice system. "This case has been a kind of systematic failure of
the Indian legal system," says Teesta Setalwad, a human rights activist who
led the effort to get the case a second hearing. "This has been a symbol,
hopefully, to revive the criminal justice system in India." (WorldWide
Religious News/Christian Science Monitor)

FOOD FOR THE POOR ANNOUNCES MASSIVE JAMAICAN PROJECT
In Jamaica, Food for the Poor has announced a key project that is expected
to help revive the country's agricultural sector. The Rural Economic
Agricultural Program (REAP) is being conducted in partnership with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, says Food for the Poor spokesman Angel Aloma. By
supplying food to poor farming families, the farmers will then be able to
buy seed for their farms, he says. "We are trying to encourage agriculture
once again as a main industry in the island to be able to be less dependent
on imports. So it'll help with the deficit of the government if they can
import less, produce more and be more self-sufficient." Aloma says the
ultimate goal of the outreach is spiritual. "We are working through
missionaries, pastors and churches. We believe very strongly in helping
[these needy people] to be self-sufficient. We do believe that once the
basic needs of the body are met, then the person is more open to receiving
the Word of God." (Mission Network News)

NEW WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS SRI LANKA'S PERSECUTED CHURCH
A group of concerned Christian citizens from Sri Lanka has launched a
website dedicated to be a voice for those whose rights are being violated.
SriLankanChristians.com covers a variety of ethnic traditions and diverse
denominations in Sri Lanka for the common purpose of ensuring freedom of
religion, worship and practice for Christians in Sri Lanka. (Voice of the
Martyrs)

FILMMAKER WORKS TO SAVE CROSS ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY SEAL
Actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson is reportedly planning to pour vast amounts
of money into an effort to keep a small cross in place on Los Angeles
County's official seal. Gibson, the producer-director of the recent
box-office hit, "The Passion of the Christ," intends to provide funding for
a campaign by a conservative religious group to protest the removal of the
religious symbol. Legal threats from the American Civil Liberties Union
prompted Los Angeles County officials to consider the proposed removal or
replacement of the Christian emblem on the government seal, a proposal that
outraged Gibson, a devout Catholic. Recently the head of the National Jewish
Christian Alliance Toward Tradition said the filmmaker had been talking with
the interfaith group and had voiced his deep concern about the possible
disappearance of the cross. Herald Sun sources report that Gibson has
already committed up to $140,000 to a campaign to keep the cross on the
county seal. (Religion Today/Agape Press)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
_______________________________________________
HCJBDaily mailing list
***@list.hcjb.org
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-04 00:21:59 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 8:13 AM

Subject: [HCJBDaily] 3 August 2004 Update From HCJB World Radio

Today's Headlines:

CHRISTIANS CONSIDER FLEEING IRAQ FOLLOWING CHURCH BOMBINGS
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL INCREASES HELP TO CHILDREN WITH AIDS
INDONESIAN PRESIDENT PLAYS DOWN SERIOUSNESS OF RELIGIOUS STRIFE
CHRISTIAN INMATE FROM INDIA GETS FIRST OFFICIAL VISITS IN SAUDI JAIL
POOREST REFUGEES IN KOSOVO HELPED WITH AID, GOSPEL
2 MINISTRIES JOIN FORCES TO DISTRIBUTE BIBLES TO TEENS ACROSS U.S.

Today's News Stories:

CHRISTIANS CONSIDER FLEEING IRAQ FOLLOWING CHURCH BOMBINGS
Religious minorities in Iraq, including about 600,000 Christians, make up
about 3 percent of the population. Now they're feeling the heat of
persecution with a marked increase in violent attacks since the fall of
Saddam Hussein. Sunday's bombings that targeted five Iraqi churches, leaving
at least 11 persons dead and dozens injured, have prompted many of the
country's Christians to consider fleeing, says Jerry Dykstra of Open Doors.
"The attacks just heightened the anxiety level of the Christians in the
Baghdad area and all through Iraq," he said. "They were living in fear
previous to this, and now they're questioning what's in store for them and
whether they should stay or leave." Some Christians said they are afraid to
attend Sunday services. "I'm now scared to go to church," said the injured
Louis Climis, a leader in the Syriac Catholic community. Due to the security
problems in the area, Open Doors has postponed all Christian training
seminars in Iraq, but literature ministry continues. Dykstra believes the
recent overt persecution may be motivated by politics. "That's really the
goal of the terrorists -- to drive out the Christian community so that when
they form a new government in about six months, they won't have any
Christians to share the government with or give religious freedom." (Mission
Network News/BosNewsLife)

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL INCREASES HELP TO CHILDREN WITH AIDS
Compassion International has agreed to "significantly increase" its help to
African children infected with HIV/AIDS. The ministry intends to triple the
amount of money it spends in the next three years, making new drugs
available to infected children and providing a wide range of services to
support those who are severely affected by AIDS. All assistance will go
through local churches to combat the worst pandemic of the century. The
program, which has been in the pilot phase in Kenya and Uganda for the past
year, will officially launch across all of Compassion's programs in Africa
in the next year, says Compassion President Wess Stafford. "HIV/AIDS
intervention is an ongoing, natural extension of our mission to provide
health-related benefits to all Compassion-assisted children," he said. World
health experts warn that the problem is only growing. There are nearly 11
million AIDS orphans in Africa, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, 42 million people
are HIV-positive. An estimated 2.5 million Africans will die from the
disease this year. While Compassion has always provided medical help to its
600,000 sponsored children, the expanded program calls for the use of
antiretroviral drugs to extend the lives of those with AIDS and improve
their quality of life. "The price on these drugs has now dropped to a level
where it is conceivable that we could afford to provide them for all the
children in our program who need them," Stafford said. (Compassion
International)

INDONESIAN PRESIDENT PLAYS DOWN SERIOUSNESS OF RELIGIOUS STRIFE
Indonesian President Megawati Soukarnoputri has played down the extent of
religious strife in the South East Asian country. There were no genuine
"religious" tensions, she said in a meeting with a German church leader in
Jakarta, Monday, Aug. 2. On the whole, violent clashes between Muslims and
Christians were the result of social problems with religious overtones, she
said. Rhenish Church President Nikolaus Schneider asked Soukarnoputri for
greater support of churches that have been burned down by Muslim extremists,
saying it was "nearly impossible" for the churches to obtain permits to
rebuild their devastated buildings. The Indonesian president was reluctant
to promise changes since most of the affected churches were in predominantly
Muslim regions, and rebuilding could lead to further social tensions, she
warned. Eighty percent of Indonesia's 220 million inhabitants are Muslim, 16
percent are Christian, 2 percent are Hindu, and 1 percent are animists.
Major Protestant churches are the fruit of the work of German missionaries
in the 19th century. (IDEA)

CHRISTIAN INMATE FROM INDIA GETS FIRST OFFICIAL VISITS IN SAUDI JAIL
Four months after being tortured and jailed for "spreading Christianity" in
Saudi Arabia, Brian O'Connor, a Christian from India, received his first
official prison visits this week. O'Connor, 36, was lured out of his home in
Riyadh on March 25 and arrested by a group of Saudi muttawa (religious
police), who beat him severely, claiming he was dealing in drugs and alcohol
and spreading Christianity. This week two representatives from the Indian
embassy visited him in Riyadh's Al-Hair Jail. The next day an official
representing the office of the governor of Riyadh interviewed him. Following
the interview, he told O'Connor that he would either get his job back or be
deported to India within 10 to 15 days. "I am confident that the Lord will
turn this mess into a message and my test into a testimony," O'Connor said
last week. Although Saudi government officials claim to exercise "practical
tolerance" toward non-Muslims who worship privately in their homes, in legal
terms freedom of religion does not exist within the country. (Religion
Today/Compass Direct)

POOREST REFUGEES IN KOSOVO HELPED WITH AID, GOSPEL
While conditions are much improved in Kosovo's cities since the end of
hostilities in 1999, people in rural areas are often on the brink of
starvation. Eastern European Outreach (EEO) has been providing aid and the
gospel to Kosovo since the refugees began returning to the area.
"Unemployment outside the capital is very high," says EEO Executive Director
Jeff Thompson said. "Children drop out of school to do menial tasks to help
their families get a little income, and as a result, illiteracy is very
high. There is little hope of these children getting decent jobs without
education." Tahir Gegaj is one who has benefited from EEO aid. Gegaj had a
fruit and vegetable business before the war, but his house was bombed,
leaving him, his wife and his six children stranded as refugees. EEO helped
Gegaj with a food subsidy, seeds and tools to start a family vegetable
garden and materials for him to build a greenhouse. Now the family grows
food year round and has enough surpluses to sell at the local market. Along
with this, the family's oldest son has become a Christian through the
witness of EEO workers. "Feeding hungry people is just the starting point.
We also need to provide opportunities for people to hear the gospel,"
Thompson said. (Assist News Service)

2 MINISTRIES JOIN FORCES TO DISTRIBUTE BIBLES TO TEENS ACROSS U.S.
This week American Family Radio (AFR) and Revival Fires International are
hosting the fourth annual "Truth for Youth" week, a promotion with special
programming that will air on 204 affiliate stations across the U.S. Sponsors
of the project are handing out copies of The Truth For Youth New Testament
to teens who will commit to give the special Bible to an unsaved friend at
school. Revival Fires Publisher Tim Todd says the national Bible
distribution campaign was launched to respond to the "ill effect that the
liberal agenda being promoted aggressively in America's public schools is
having on young people." This youth-targeted New Testament includes "The
Student's Legal Rights on Public School Campuses" printed on the back cover
to inform youngsters and school administrators that students have the right
to give away Bibles on campus during non-instructional time. In the last
three years, Revival Fires' partnership with AFR has resulted in the
distribution of more than 150,000 Bibles in schools. (Religion Today/Agape
Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-10 08:11:48 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 8:19 AM

Today's Headlines:

SOUTH KOREAN MISSIONARIES WARNED TO STAY OUT OF MIDDLE EAST
WORLD VISION SENDS RELIEF SUPPLIES TO 3,000 FAMILIES IN MYANMAR
AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO PRESSURE RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN TURKMENISTAN
MUSLIM EXTREMISTS WORK TO INCITE HATRED IN CAMEROON
MISSIONARIES FIND MUSLIMS IN NEW YORK SURPRISINGLY OPEN TO GOSPEL

Today's News Stories:

SOUTH KOREAN MISSIONARIES WARNED TO STAY OUT OF MIDDLE EAST
Officials in Seoul, South Korea, are telling the country's missionaries and
humanitarian aid groups to stay out of the Middle East for now. The order
reportedly came after terrorists in Iraq threatened retaliation against
anyone conducting evangelistic activities. Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo
Hyuck explained that the country's concerns stem from repeated threats made
by extremists. "Terrorists will act against South Korea if they find we have
entered Iraq for the purpose of propagating Christianity," he said. South
Korea advised all its civilians in Iraq to leave after terrorists executed
South Korean interpreter Kim Sun Il who was in the country to work for a
trading company while earning money to attend seminary. While the terrorists
have demanded that South Korea withdraw its troops from Iraq, the government
is making preparations to deploy thousands of additional South Korean troops
to the war-torn country. (Mission Network News)

WORLD VISION SENDS RELIEF SUPPLIES TO 3,000 FAMILIES IN MYANMAR
World Vision is rushing aid to more than 3,000 families in the Asian country
of Myanmar (Burma) after massive monsoon rains in the region flooded
low-lying areas. Teams recently brought food to the country, and additional
emergency supplies are on their way to help stem the spread of waterborne
disease. Nearly 10,000 people need mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen utensils
and rice. Team members say the humanitarian efforts are opening up
opportunities to share the love and hope of Christ with people in need.
(Mission Network News)

AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO PRESSURE RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN TURKMENISTAN
Despite gaining state registration under much-trumpeted "liberalization" of
Turkmenistan's religion law, secret police raids and threats against a
Baptist congregation in Turkmenistan have continued. On Wednesday, Aug. 4,
the country's secret police raided a Bible study, arrested the participants
and held them for three hours. Authorities also confiscated Bibles and
hymnals and threatened a "big problem" if the meetings continued. State
officials have told another state-registered community, the Hare Krishnas,
that they do not know whether the community should be allowed to operate. A
wide range of religious communities have either been unsuccessful with
registration applications, or do not bother to apply because of the harsh
controls they would be subjected to. Asked about making a registration
application, one Jehovah's Witness said, "Why should we when persecution
continues?" (Forum 18 News Service)

MUSLIM EXTREMISTS WORK TO INCITE HATRED IN CAMEROON
Foreign Muslim extremists have infiltrated the northern provinces of the
West African country of Cameroon as they work to incite local Muslims to
rise up again Christians. Cameroon, which shares its porous western border
with Nigeria, has experienced a dramatic rise in religious violence since
about a dozen of Nigeria's northern states adopted sharia (Islamic law).
Garga Aoudou, a community activist with a Dutch development organization,
told Inter Press Service (IPS) that the area has been "inundated with fliers
inciting Muslims towards a hatred of Christians. . . . Religious fanatics
exhort Muslims to increase the number of marriages between young Muslim men
and Christian girls in order to convert them to Islam. The fliers also urge
Muslims to refuse to rent houses or sell land to Christians -- or to get
them to move by raising the rent." Bishop Yves Steven added that "several
Christian families were forcibly evicted from their homes . . . before they
could collect their property." An IPS report indicated that local Muslim
leaders who are keen to preserve the peaceful coexistence are equally
concerned about "outside agitators." (World Evangelical Alliance Religious
Liberty Commission)

MISSIONARIES FIND MUSLIMS IN NEW YORK SURPRISINGLY OPEN TO GOSPEL
Susan Perlman, a Jew who converted to Christianity, says she found some
Muslims to be surprisingly open to the gospel during recent evangelistic
efforts in New York City. Perlman, first assistant to the executive director
of Jews for Jesus, was in New York City last month to take part in a massive
street evangelism campaign. She says while the primary focus of Jews for
Jesus is winning the Jewish people for Christ, the missionaries encountered
a number of Muslims who expressed a desire to learn more about Him. Although
Perlman notes that most members of the Islamic faith whom missionaries
contact reject the gospel, the evangelists encounter a select few who are
open to the message. (Religion Today/Agape Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-15 07:26:02 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2004 8:38 AM

Today's Headlines:

CHRISTIAN RELIEF AGENCIES SEND AID TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN KENYA
HEALTH OF JAILED CHRISTIAN CUBAN DISSIDENT SAID TO BE FAILING
NIGERIAN BELIEVERS ACCUSE STATE GOVERNOR OF LEADING PERSECUTION
PORTUGAL'S EVANGELICAL LEADERS AIM TO PLANT 4,000 CHURCHES BY 2015
CHURCH-PLANTING EFFORTS CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT IN GERMANY

Today's News Stories:

CHRISTIAN RELIEF AGENCIES SEND AID TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN KENYA
As severe drought spreads in Kenya where crops have failed in the five of
the country's eight provinces, relief agencies are bringing both physical
and spiritual encouragement. Dave Evans of Food for the Hungry, for example,
says the ministry's teams have switched from working on long-term projects
to addressing the most urgent needs. "There are pockets in Kenya where you
have almost nothing produced," he says. "So these are the areas that we will
be focusing on. Without outside assistance, there will be some malnutrition
and probably loss of life." Evans says the teams have a holistic approach to
ministry in Kenya. "This might be talking to people about the gospel. It
might be demonstrating ways of handing out food and actually working on
longer term relief and rehabilitation and development activities that allow
them to talk about God's sovereignty and God's love for these people."
(Mission Network News)

HEALTH OF JAILED CHRISTIAN CUBAN DISSIDENT SAID TO BE FAILING
The health of Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, one of Cuba's most prominent
dissidents, is said to be deteriorating a month after prison officials
stopped outsiders from bringing him food and other basic supplies. His wife,
Elsa, and other relatives attempted to visit him on Monday, July 12, but
were forced to leave with the food and toiletry items that they had brought
for him. "I know that my husband's life is in danger, and I welcome the
urgent intercession of all men and women of goodwill in the world, including
Cuban authorities," she said in a statement. "This man does not deserve to
die in a dungeon. He and his family have lost everything, except God, for
the noble cause of human rights. He deserves a just treatment. He is not a
danger to society and deserves to be free with his family and people."
Biscet's meager rations have been reduced to almost nothing, forcing him to
live off handouts from fellow prisoners, said U.S. State Department
spokesman Richard Boucher. Biscet is languishing in a "three-by-six-foot
cell with insufficient light and ventilation, no shower or running water, a
hole for the toilet and no bed," his wife added. He is prohibited from
keeping any personal possessions, including his Bible. A Christian medical
doctor and pro-life activist, Biscet was sentenced to 25 years in jail April
7, 2003, as part of a massive crackdown on human rights activists in Cuba.
(BosNewsLife)

NIGERIAN BELIEVERS ACCUSE STATE GOVERNOR OF LEADING PERSECUTION
Gov. Alhaji Ahmed Sani of Nigeria's Zamfara state, who first introduced
sharia (Islamic law) in the country four years ago, is being accused by
Zamfara's Christians of religious persecution. The state's Islamic
government recently said it would demolish all churches it marked as
"illegal structures," close all businesses belonging to Christians during
Muslim prayers, and enforce a new law banning clothing that is not compliant
with sharia. In addition, the Zamfara state government has decreed payment
of school tuition for Christian children. While Muslim students do not pay
tuition fees in the state, Christian students are charged the equivalent of
$50 to $250 per term. Saidu Dogo, secretary general of the Christian
Association of Nigeria, says the implementation of sharia in Zamfara and
other northern states is aimed at eliminating Christians and their religion.
(Compass)

PORTUGAL'S EVANGELICAL LEADERS AIM TO PLANT 4,000 CHURCHES BY 2015
Following extensive discussions, the leaders of Portugal's Evangelical
Alliance unanimously ratified "Portugal 2015," a long-term strategy to plant
4,000 churches in the country in the next 11 years. Following careful
research under the coordination of pastor Paulo Méndez, a missionary Bible
teacher from Brazil, the nation's evangelical leaders decided on this
national missionary project using the long-term strategy from Discipling a
Whole Nation (DAWN). In order to reach the goal, the current rate of church
planting must continue for the next decade. (FridayFax/DAWN Europe)

CHURCH-PLANTING EFFORTS CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT IN GERMANY
While evangelical Christians make up only 3 percent of Germany's population,
a paradigm shift is taking place, says Greater Europe Mission's Fred McRae.
"The situation for church planting in Germany has really turned the corner,
and as a church planter I would say Germany, relatively speaking, compared
to where it used to be, is a church-planting paradise." More than 1,000
churches have been established in Germany the last 15 to 20 years. He says
the battle in this effort isn't against the post-Christian culture, but
against Christians who often lack the motivation needed to plant churches.
McRae is also concerned about mission groups. "Mission organizations are
still working in Germany and in Europe the way it was done 40 to 50 years
ago. I'm afraid that the organizations are going to miss the paradigm shift
that God has brought about." He adds that church-planting consultants are
needed to motivate and train more German believers. (Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-20 00:46:19 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 8:48 AM

PARTS OF SRI LANKA'S PROPOSED ANTI-CONVERSION BILL RULED ILLEGAL
8 CATHOLIC PRIESTS, 2 SEMINARIANS ARRESTED IN CHINA
REPORTS SHOW PERSECUTION IN MYANMAR 'NOT LIMITED TO CHRISTIANITY'
POLL: MOST U.S PASTORS FAVOR SANCTIONS ON PERSECUTING NATIONS
SPORTS CAMPS OPEN DOORS FOR GOSPEL IN 'CLOSED' NATIONS
LOCAL CHURCHES JOIN RELIEF EFFORTS IN STORM-RAVAGED FLORIDA

Today's News Stories:

PARTS OF SRI LANKA'S PROPOSED ANTI-CONVERSION BILL RULED ILLEGAL
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, Sri Lanka's Supreme Court announced its ruling to the
parliamentary speaker on the proposed "Bill of Prohibition of Forcible
Conversion." The court determined that sections 3 and 4(b) of the proposed
bill violated article 10 of the country's constitution that "guarantees the
freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have
or adopt a religion or belief of one's choice." To become law in its present
form, the bill would require a two-thirds majority vote of the parliament as
well as a national referendum. However, the court added that if the
offending sections are deleted, the bill would be consistent with article 10
and would not require the two-thirds majority or referendum. Section 3 of
the proposed bill required a person who is converting from one religion to
another and any person performing or involved in a "conversion ceremony" to
report to the divisional secretary of the area. Section 4(b) stipulated
punishments of a fine and prison term for violators. The National Christian
Evangelical Christian Alliance of Sri Lanka has expressed serious concerns
about certain provisions of the bill. The proposed law now goes to a
parliamentary standing committee for discussion. (Voice of the Martyrs)

8 CATHOLIC PRIESTS, 2 SEMINARIANS ARRESTED IN CHINA
On the evening of Friday, Aug. 6, eight underground Roman Catholic priests
and two seminarians were attending a retreat when 20 police vehicles and a
large number of officers raided the remote village of Sujiazhuang in China's
Hebei province. The Cardinal Kung Foundation reported that the 10 are in
custody in the Baoding Security Bureau. Those arrested include Huo Junlong
and Zhang Zhenquian of the Baoding diocese and Father Huang of Sujiazhuang.
Joseph Kung, president of the Cardinal Kung Foundation, criticized the
arrests. "While the whole world is in awe at the performance and the spirit
of the Olympic Games, the Chinese government, which will be hosting the 2008
Olympics, failed to respect such Olympic spirits and violated its own
constitution guaranteeing religious freedom by raiding and jailing these
innocent religious personnel," he said. (Voice of the Martyrs)

REPORTS SHOW PERSECUTION IN MYANMAR 'NOT LIMITED TO CHRISTIANITY'
Human rights groups have found that Christians, Muslims and Buddhists alike
are suffering from varying degrees of persecution in Myanmar (Burma). A
recent report published by the Chin Human Rights Organization claims that
"Burma's ruling military regime is systematically persecuting the country's
Chin Christians." Believers from certain ethnic national groups have
experienced practices such as destruction of churches, forcible conversion
to Buddhism and forced labor. Another report released by Amnesty
International earlier this year claims that Muslims in Rakhine (Arakan)
state are effectively denied Burmese citizenship. Their freedom of movement
is also "severely restricted," and they are subject to arbitrary taxation,
land confiscation, forced eviction, destruction of property and forced
labor. Even Buddhists, who comprise almost 90 percent of Burma's population,
face suppression when challenging the country's regime. The Shan ethnic
national group of northeastern Burma, which is primarily Buddhist, faces
similar human rights violations as those experienced by Christians and
Muslims, including rape and forced labor. (Forum 18 News Service/Christian
Solidarity Worldwide)

POLL: MOST U.S PASTORS FAVOR SANCTIONS ON PERSECUTING NATIONS
More than three-quarters of pastors in the U.S. want the government to
impose sanctions against foreign governments that persecute Christians.
Seventy-seven percent of those questioned in a nationwide poll said that
America should take action against nations where believers face opposition
for their faith. The strength of that opinion varied depending on the
ministers' church affiliation. Seventy percent of evangelical church leaders
felt "strongly" that persecution of Christians abroad was a problem, while
only 37 percent of mainline or liberal churches did. China was most
identified as the country where the worst persecution occurs with 30 percent
of respondents citing its poor religious freedom record. Also singled out
were Sudan, 16 percent; India, 5 percent; and Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and
Iran, each at 4 percent. The study was conducted by Ellison Research of
Phoenix, Ariz. Mike Yoder of Open Doors said that the pastors' grading of
persecution severity closely matched that found by his organization's global
monitoring. Recent years have seen a "remarkable increase" in awareness by
the American church of worldwide persecution of Christians. Jim Jacobson,
president of Christian Freedom International, said the survey results
suggested that many religious leaders were abdicating personal
responsibility to the government. "Unfortunately, too many fail to see they
have any personal responsibility to help." (Charisma News Service)

SPORTS CAMPS OPEN DOORS FOR GOSPEL IN 'CLOSED' NATIONS
Nations that are normally closed to missionary efforts often open their
doors to OC International's Sports Ambassadors teams. Ministry spokesman
Robin Cook says the team found an atmosphere of openness on a recent trip to
southern India's Tamil Nadu state. "We were invited by the Sports Ministry
in Coimbatore and Chennai to hold clinics and play basketball games in the
schools and at the YMCA," he said. Using "Evangecube" as a tool, team
members presented the gospel to numerous Hindus. "A lot of them kept asking,
'Can I keep this? Can I have this?' We had great opportunities to share the
gospel, whether one on one or with a whole group of 200 or 300," Cook said.
Beyond sharing testimonies in stadiums and through the mass media, athletes
also ministered through sports clinics in schools, churches, universities,
prisons and town squares. (Mission Network News)

LOCAL CHURCHES JOIN RELIEF EFFORTS IN STORM-RAVAGED FLORIDA
Piles of rubble sit where buildings once stood in Arcadia, Fla., after
Hurricane Charley ripped through Florida's Gulf Coast on Friday, Aug. 13.
Nearly every tree is on its side with branches ripped from trunks and lodged
in houses. Homes are missing roofs, walls, porches and windows. Storm debris
is everywhere. Amidst the debris stands Trinity United Methodist Church
which suffered only minimal damages. As a result, it now serves as a major
command center, offering food, supplies and support to the residents of the
devastated Florida town.

"We started off just handing out water, and it mushroomed from there," said
pastor David Harris. Volunteers in front of the church hand out hamburgers,
baked beans, hot dogs and cold water. Downstairs, a room full of donated
food and supplies is staffed by other volunteers. Residents can stop by to
pick up what they need. The church even has construction crews to help
people secure their roofs and keep out the rain. "This operation is
incredible, it's amazing what the Lord can do," Harris said.

Trinity United Methodist is just one of dozens of local churches that have
joined relief efforts in the area. At nearby Myakka City United Methodist
Church, members were happy to see generators arrive on Tuesday. With
temperatures in the area reaching 100 degrees, anything to help folks in a
town without power was welcomed. Volunteers from the church took turns
pausing for a moment in front of the large fan as they unloaded donations
from a truck. Church members have been serving meals, handing out food and
doing what they can to assist affected families. Pastor Chet Zarzicki said
the community spirit has been fantastic. "We've had calls coming in from
churches across the state, asking how they can help," he said. "And then
this community has been great. People I don't even know have been stopping
by and donating items."

A similar story is happening at the nondenominational Family Worship Center
in Indiantown, Fla. A large barbecue grill and a long table full of hot
dogs, hamburgers, chips and bottled water -- along with warm smiles and
encouragement -- greets all who stop by. "The Lord called us to do this,"
said church member Jonnie Flewelling. "We come from a church of people who
care." In two days the church fed more than 1,600 people. (Disaster News
Network)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-04 00:14:29 UTC
Permalink
ACNS 3879 | SUDAN | 3 SEPTEMBER 2004

The Sudanese Church Leaders' statement on the current situation in Sudan

We, the Sudanese church leaders of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC)
met at the SCC Headquarters in Khartoum on 30 August 2004 to reflect on
the current political situation in the country, in particular the issue
of war and peace. We met at the time by which a full peace accord was
due to have been signed by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the SPLM/A,
and when the UN Representative was to report to the UN Security Council
on the situation in Darfur. We shared and discussed information that
seems to indicate that the road to a just and comprehensive peace in the
Sudan is still long.

We are deeply concerned that the progress in the Sudan IGAD Peace
Process is slowing down. The parties to the IGAD peace process have been
out of session since the last adjournment in July and despite the
shuttle diplomacy being carried out by the IGAD Secretariat, the parties
are no longer experiencing the sustained pressure from the international
community, in particular the IGAD Partners, due to the new and equally
devastating conflict that emerged in Western Sudan, the Darfur region
early last year.

While the Sudanese people have been and are still earnestly waiting for
the completion of the IGAD peace process, the situation on the ground is
discouraging. The Government of Sudan seems to be preparing for war as
indicated in the Upper Nile region. Early this year, the government
militias in Upper Nile, assisted by the Sudanese regular forces attacked
and burned down over 22 Shilluk villages. This resulted in killings,
loss of property and the displacement of about 26,000 civilians to
Malakal town.

Last month, in Western Upper Nile, the same militias attacked the SPLA,
and during the combat the area was also devastated. Further, other
activities such as the digging of trenches in towns like Juba and the
instigation of the southern militias by the GoS to claim inclusion in
the ongoing IGAD peace process as an independent force, show clearly
that there is lack of commitment by the GoS to the IGAD peace process
which has already dealt with the most contentious issues between the
Sudanese warring parties.

In Darfur the GoS is involved in a brutal war that knows no ethics and
international regulations of war. Although humanitarian access to the
needy in the region has improved, the situation on the ground leaves a
lot to be desired. The government intransigence has led to the continued
insecurity. Government backed militias known as Janjaweed are still
operational. The influx of civilians to the displaced camps continues.
The number of the displaced has recently risen to over one million and
is expected to rise in the period ahead unless the Janjaweed who are
still posing a security threat to the civilian population are contained
and the hostilities by both sides brought to end.

The Sudanese Church leaders therefore call upon the international
community to exert sustained pressure on the Sudanese warring parties,
and in particular the GoS to commit itself to the ongoing peace
initiatives in Naivasha (Kenya) and Abuja (Nigeria) that aim at ending
the armed conflicts in the Sudan peacefully as soon as possible so that
the Sudanese people live a dignified life. The Naivasha Protocols have
raised the hope of the Sudanese people and provided a unique opportunity
for the achievement of peace. We call upon the Sudanese people and the
international community to ensure that this opportunity is not lost. We
further call for intensified efforts to restore security and bring
humanitarian assistance to the people in urgent need in both Darfur and
Upper Nile region.

Signed

The Rt Revd Daniel Deng Bul
Bishop of Renk
The Episcopal Church of Sudan

The Revd James Par Tap
Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church

The Revd Fermo Ogilla Utong
Sudan Pentecostal Church

The Revd Mahgoub Kago Artloke
Sudanese Church of Christ

The Revd Daniel Oballa Okony
Presbyterian Church of Sudan

Fr Antonious Fakious
Coptic Orthodox Church Omdurman

The Revd Samuel G El Sadik
Ethiopian Orthodox Church

The Revd James Lagos Alexander
Africa Inland Church

The Revd John El Sir
Sudan Interior Church

The Revd John Tong Puk
SCC Chairman

The Revd Paul Chol Deng
SCC General Secretary

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 7,500 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-09 00:36:24 UTC
Permalink
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Telling others, what others are doing for the Lord.

Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 8:50 AM

Today's Headlines:

6 OF RUSSIAN PASTORS' 8 CHILDREN CONFIRMED DEAD IN HOSTAGE CRISIS
'HATE CRIME' CONVICTION REVERSED FOR 2 BRAZILIAN EVANGELISTS
CATHOLICS IN INDIA SHOCKED BY BRUTAL MURDER OF PRIEST
INDONESIAN CHURCHES FACE CONTINUED THREATS, ATTACKS
OPEN DOORS BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT, TRAINING TO SUFFERING WOMEN
PROMISE KEEPERS EMPHASIZES TAKING BIBLICAL STAND ON MORAL ISSUES

Today's News Stories:

6 OF RUSSIAN PASTORS' 8 CHILDREN CONFIRMED DEAD IN HOSTAGE CRISIS
After days of searching for their children, pastors and brothers Taymuraz
and Sergey Totiev in the southern Russian town of Beslan, North Ossetia,
have discovered that six of their eight children died in the recent hostage
drama. "Tragically, out of the eight Totiev children who were in the school,
only two have survived," said Sergey Rakhuba, vice president of U.S.-backed
Russian Ministries in a statement. The children of Taymuraz and Ria Totiev
who died were identified as Larissa, 14, Luba, 12, Albina, 11, and Boris, 8.
"A daughter named Magina was found, released from the hospital, and is
recovering at home," Rakhuba added. The children of Sergey and Bela Totiev
who died were Dzerassa, 15, and Anna, 9. A son, Azamat, 12, is in the
hospital and is being treated for a "severe eye injury." The children are
believed to have died Friday, Sept. 3, during a gun battle between Russian
forces storming the school complex and militants demanding independence for
neighboring Chechnya. News about the deaths came after two days of national
mourning in Russia. While thousands of people gathered in the town square in
Beslan, North Ossetia, Russian Ministries led a prayer meeting on the front
lawn of its office building in Wheaton, Ill. More than 1,200 people were
taken hostage in Beslan, near Chechnya. At least 326 were killed -- half of
them children -- and 727 wounded, Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov said.
Only 210 bodies have been identified. (BosNewsLife/Reuters)

'HATE CRIME' CONVICTION REVERSED FOR 2 BRAZILIAN EVANGELISTS
An appeals court in São Paulo, Brazil, has reversed the conviction last year
of two evangelists charged with violating the nation's "hate crime" law. The
landmark case involving evangelicals and Afro-Brazilian spiritists is the
first to test a federal law declaring it a crime to "practice, induce, or
incite discrimination" against members of another religion, Compass Direct
reported. Umbanda and Candomble spiritist groups brought criminal charges
more than two years ago against Baptist pastor Joaquim de Andrade and
Anglican Aldo dos Santos, claiming that gospel tracts they distributed at
the annual Iemanja festival disparaged the African deity, and therefore
violated the federal law. In April 2003 the men were found guilty of the
charges, but they refused to pay the fine imposed and appealed the verdict.
Andrade hailed the appeals court's recent decision as upholding freedom of
speech and their right to conduct personal evangelism in public places. "We
can certainly continue evangelistic work on the beaches, in the streets, in
plazas and through all communications media in Brazil," he said. "The
judges' ruling came out favorably toward us because we are not breaking the
law of our country. There has been recognition that we have the right to
give our testimony." (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

CATHOLICS IN INDIA SHOCKED BY BRUTAL MURDER OF PRIEST
The Catholic community of India is in shock following the brutal murder of
Father Job Chittilappilly whose body was found dead with knife wounds early
Saturday, Aug. 28. He had been threatened for alleged "proselytism."
Chittilappilly, 71, served the Syro-Malabar community for 45 years, lived in
the parish residence of Our Lady of Grace Church in Thuruthiparambu in the
southwestern state of Kerala. Although the motive for the murder is still
unknown, investigators said that the crime appears to be an execution.
Nothing was touched or stolen from the parish residence, reported the Fides
missionary agency. He was attacked before conducting mass. Local sources
reported that the priest had recently received intimidating telephone calls,
threatening him with death if he did not cease to "proselytize." The murder
added to a chain of attacks against Christians in Jharkhand and Orissa,
recently condemned by the conference of Catholic bishops of India which
appealed for religious tolerance and the intervention of the civil
authorities. (WorldWide Religious News/Zenit)

INDONESIAN CHURCHES FACE CONTINUED THREATS, ATTACKS
Several churches in Indonesia have faced threats or attacks from mobs,
forcing some to close, reported local sources. A mob forced three churches
to close in Bogor City on Monday, Aug. 23, claiming that the churches did
not have permission to operate. On the evening of Sunday, Aug. 29, a mob
attacked the Christ Assembly Church's Ministry Post in Bekasi City, West
Java. The gate of the church, windows and tiles were destroyed. Twenty
people have since been arrested, including a prominent leader in the
community. In the Ancaekek subdistrict of Bandung City, church leaders were
gathered together on Thursday, Aug. 19, and informed that houses used for
church meetings must close, effective Monday, Sept. 6. (Voice of the
Martyrs)

OPEN DOORS BRINGS ENCOURAGEMENT, TRAINING TO SUFFERING WOMEN
Open Doors USA is bringing encouragement and training to abused and
persecuted women in foreign cultures through a program called, "Women of the
Way," says Jane Huckaby, vice president of donor programs. "In many of these
cultures women are already considered second-class citizens. When you add to
their status 'Christian' and 'women' they are just the lowest of the low."
Many have little hope because they're denied basic rights and persecuted.
"Women of the Way" is committed to strengthen and support women who live in
countries hostile to Christianity. "These women might as well be orphans
themselves when their husbands are taken from them," she says. "They become
almost a burden on the church. And they don't have thing that they can do to
contribute to the church. What we do is provide literacy training and skills
training, providing ways for them to make a contribution to their families,
to their communities and to their churches." As these women become more
self-supporting, they are able to share the gospel, Huckaby says. (Mission
Network News)

PROMISE KEEPERS EMPHASIZES TAKING BIBLICAL STAND ON MORAL ISSUES
Leaders of Promise Keepers (PK) say the men's ministry is moving from a
movement to a mission as it encourages men to have more of an impact on
society for Christ. PK, the men's ministry known for its arena and stadium
events, recently began taking biblical stands on issues such as same-sex
marriage, pornography, abortion, and other issues. Bishop Joseph Garlington,
a frequent PK speaker, says it is vital for men to impact society for Christ
when fellow citizens of that society are fighting against deeply rooted
spiritual convictions. "God doesn't give you a voice only to move through
the earth and be silent," he said. (Religion Today/Agape Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-07-22 03:03:41 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 5:57 AM

Today's Headlines:

100 CHINESE CHURCH LEADERS ARRESTED WHEN POLICE RAID RETREAT
INDONESIAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO BRING PASTOR'S KILLERS TO JUSTICE
OPERATION MOBILIZATION, WYCLIFFE FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
U.S. CONGRESSMAN ARRESTED IN PROTEST AGAINST VIOLENCE IN SUDAN
CHINESE CENSORSHIP OF INTERNET BLOCKS MANY RELIGIOUS WEBSITES
REPORT: 64% OF U.S. WEB USERS HAVE GONE ONLINE FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES

Today's News Stories:

100 CHINESE CHURCH LEADERS ARRESTED WHEN POLICE RAID RETREAT
More than 100 house church leaders were arrested last week in the autonomous
region of Xinjiang in western China during a police raid. Members of the
group were meeting at a retreat center for training and mutual encouragement
when they were surrounded by more than 200 military police and officers from
the Public Security Bureau. Thirty of the leaders continue to be held by the
PSB near the retreat center. The rest have been transported to their home
areas and are being held by local PSB officers. Some are expected to be
interrogated and pressured to renounce their faith or face criminal charges.
Among those arrested were Wang Yu Lian, a leader in the Ying Shang Church
for more than 20 years, and Jin Da, the 34-year-old general secretary of the
TSPM in Ningbo City, Zhejiang province. The meeting was sponsored by the
Ying Shang Church, a large house church network headquartered in Anhui
province. Those who traveled to the event from other provinces face
additional scrutiny from authorities since it is illegal to cross a
provincial border to hold religious meetings without approval from the
Religious Affairs Bureau and state-sponsored Three Self Patriotic Movement
(TSPM) church. Also last week, 40 Chinese house church leaders were arrested
while attending a seminar in Cheng Du City, Sichuan. They were later
released, but the whereabouts of the Taiwanese couple leading the seminar is
unknown. Local contacts expect them to be deported and blacklisted by the
Chinese government. (Voice of the Martyrs)

INDONESIAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO BRING PASTOR'S KILLERS TO JUSTICE
Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri has met with Christian leaders in
Jakarta and sent National Police Chief Dai Bachtiar to Palu to personally
supervise the investigation of murdered preacher Rev. Susianty Tinulele. She
was gunned down at the conclusion of her sermon just after 7 p.m. Sunday,
July 18, at Effata Presbyterian Church in Palu, Central Sulawesi, in eastern
Indonesia. Four other congregants were also shot and injured. Eye witnesses
said five men were involved in the attack. Two were on motorbikes, and three
were in a car parked on street. It is believed the assassins were able to
hide their weapons in the car to avoid detection before and after the
shooting. Following the murder, many Christian leaders began receiving text
messages on their mobile phones, warning them that the purpose of these
attacks was to provoke a reaction from the Christian community and that "if
the church was not provoked then more attacks would continue on your
wife/children." There have been a total of 17 shooting incidents in the
region since last October. (Religious Media Agency)

OPERATION MOBILIZATION, WYCLIFFE FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
A partnership between Operation Mobilization (OM) is expected to boost
short-term missions and Bible translation worldwide. Called "Spectrum," the
agreement was signed Monday, July 19, by OM USA President Rick Hicks and
Wycliffe USA President Bob Creson while aboard the ship Doulos in France.
Creson is excited about this new initiative. "We believe that there are a
number of OM people who would be interested in Bible translation, and Rick
has opened up the door for us to place people on the ships to see if some of
those people who are completing their service on the Doulos might be
interested in Bible translation in the future. We'll be doing some training
opportunities on ship to expose those people to those opportunities." The
need for translators couldn't be greater, Creson says. "There are 2,737
Bible translations left in the world, and we're hoping that OM will provide
some of the people needed to help complete that task." (Mission Network
News)

U.S. CONGRESSMAN ARRESTED IN PROTEST AGAINST VIOLENCE IN SUDAN
Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Hoeffel and his wife, Francesca, along with
activist Dick Gregory were arrested at the Sudan Embassy in Washington,
D.C., on Tuesday, July 20, reported Christian Solidarity International in a
press release. In a campaign reminiscent of the anti-apartheid
demonstrations outside the South African embassy in the 1980s, activists are
deliberately getting themselves arrested to draw attention to the crisis in
western Sudan. Joe Hoeffel is among those who support a joint resolution
before Congress that calls on the U.S. to declare the Sudan slaughter
genocide. "The crisis in Darfur fits every definition of genocide, and must
be labeled as such by the U.N. and its member countries," he said. "The U.N.
Security Council must immediately pressure the Sudanese government to end
its support for the violence and to drop its restrictions on the delivery of
much-needed aid to the region. We must act now before this catastrophe
escalates any further." The Congressional Black Caucus is demanding that the
Sudanese government end its support of the Arab militia accused of murdering
thousands of black Africans, and it also wants sanctions imposed against the
Sudan government. An estimated 2 million people have died in more than 20
years of civil war in Sudan. (Religion Today/Christian Solidarity
International)

CHINESE CENSORSHIP OF INTERNET BLOCKS MANY RELIGIOUS WEBSITES
Chinese web users are being denied access to a range of religious sites
based abroad as the Chinese government's "Golden Shield" firewall is used to
censor the Internet. While blocking undesirable sites promoting pornography
and violence, the firewall also limits religious web content such as sites
related to the Dalai Lama, the Falun Gong cult and various Buddhist and
Muslim movements. Also blocked are sites covering persecution of religious
communities in China and a number of Catholic sites, including the website
of the Hong Kong diocese and the Divine Word Missionaries in Taiwan. Not
blocked are sites in European languages covering religious freedom issues,
even those covering repression within China. While overall Internet usage in
China may be low by developed country standards, it has been rapidly
growing, especially in the capital of Beijing and the coastal region. The
official China Internet Network Information Center puts the number of
Chinese with access to the Internet in June 2003 at 79.5 million. This
number has been doubling every six months. Internet censorship is part of a
comprehensive attempt to censor all means of communication. While printed
publications have long been censored in China, authorities also have tried
to keep up with technological developments. The Global Internet Policy
Initiative warned in June of new technology from a Chinese firm that
monitors "subversive" text messages sent by mobile phone. (Forum 18 News
Service)

REPORT: 64% OF U.S. WEB USERS HAVE GONE ONLINE FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES
An April 2004 report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project indicates
that 64 percent of Americans online have used the Internet for religious or
spiritual information. The report also found that 38 percent have sent and
received e-mail with spiritual content; 35 percent have sent or received
online greeting cards related to religious holidays; 32 percent have gone
online to read news accounts of religious events and affairs; and 17 percent
have looked for information about where they could attend religious
services. Lee Rainie, director of the project, will address the findings of
this report and others conducted by Pew during the annual meeting of the
Internet Evangelism Coalition in Chicago Sept. 14-15. Rainie will discuss
who is online, what they do, how they feel about it and what impact it has
had on them. He will also describe the three major pieces of research his
organization has done on how people use the Internet to get religious and
spiritual information, how churches have begun to move their missions and
evangelical work online, and how "private piety" has become a part of the
e-mail world. In addition, Rainie will show how people especially use the
Internet in times of great national stress -- such as after the 9/11 terror
attacks and at the dawn of the Iraq War. (Assist News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-07-29 05:19:57 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 6:08 AM

Today's Headlines:

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA RELEASE KIDNAPPED MISSIONARIES
RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES FORCE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES TO CANCEL CONGRESS
PROLIFERATION OF SECTS IN ANGOLA ALARMS BAPTIST SEMINARY LEADER
MINISTRY SENDS AID TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN AREA OF TANZANIA
FORMER HOSTAGE TO TESTIFY AGAINST ABDUCTORS IN PHILIPPINES
SURVEY: TURKISH IMMIGRANTS IN GERMANY BECOMING 'MORE RELIGIOUS'

Today's News Stories:

HINDU EXTREMISTS RELEASE KIDNAPPED MISSIONARIES IN INDIA
The five native missionaries serving with Gospel for Asia (GFA) who were
abducted by Hindu extremists in the southern India state of Karnataka
Saturday, July 24, have been freed. Radicals kidnapped the five, falsely
accusing them of committing a robbery before beating and releasing them,
says GFA President K.P. Yohannan. One of the men escaped before the beatings
took place. While India's Congress Party is giving Christians hope for
religious freedom, Hindu extremists want it restricted, Yohannan explains.
"Since they cannot directly attack Christian workers, they are now finding a
new way to persecute our missionaries by accusing them of stealing things,
or causing trouble or whatever else. This was the disguise they used to
kidnap these five missionaries." Yohannan says Hindus are angry with the
large number of people who are turning to Christ in India. Meanwhile, GFA is
working to distribute Bibles across India. "One of our greatest needs right
now is to produce at least 10 million to 15 million Bibles in the country's
major languages," he says. "We have two printing presses working full time."
(Mission Network News)

RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES FORCE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES TO CANCEL CONGRESS
On the second day of their annual regional congress in Russia's Ural region
Saturday, July 24, more than 5,000 Jehovah's Witnesses were forced to
abandon the city stadium in Yekaterinburg which they had rented for the
event. "We couldn't imagine such a thing happening -- it took us completely
by surprise," local Jehovah's Witness representative Sergei Tantsura said,
adding that the group had held a congress at the stadium every year since
1996. On Friday, July 23, the stadium management abruptly demanded four
times the agreed fee. Then on Saturday men claiming to be security guards
tried to block the entrance. Next the electricity supply was switched off,
and then 1,000 delegates were evicted from their accommodations. The stadium
management also played loud music to drown out the speakers, and finally the
management ordered the delegates to disperse. In April, authorities in
nearby Tyumen canceled a similar large-scale Protestant Easter service in a
city stadium. That same month the House of Culture in Yekaterinburg abruptly
canceled its rental contract with the Jehovah's Witness congregation
following the court decision barring the group's activity in Moscow, 930
miles to the west. (Forum 18 News Service)

PROLIFERATION OF SECTS IN ANGOLA ALARMS BAPTIST SEMINARY LEADER
Rev. Mateus Justino Chaves, head of the Baptist theological seminary in
Angola's Huambo province, recently urged believers to fight against the
proliferation of religious sects in the country. Speaking at a celebration
to mark the seminary's 18th anniversary, Chaves said one of the mechanisms
to combat this phenomenon is to adequately train religious leaders. The
entrance of sects in Angola is a "great danger to this society because they
try to implant the cultures and beliefs of the countries they come from," he
said. "Joining these sects represents an ill and distortion of the culture
and customs of our society." Chaves explained that cults often appeal to the
poor as leaders make promises to improve their lives. He added that citizens
should continue to keep faithful to their customs, "respecting the Angolan
tradition instead of distorting it." (WorldWide Religious News/Angola Press
Agency)

MINISTRY SENDS AID TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN AREA OF TANZANIA
Tanzania's yearlong drought has created a food shortage threatening nearly 2
million people. Among them are more than 11,000 children sponsored through
Compassion International. Food prices in some areas have doubled, and
unemployment is up dramatically. At the end of 2003, nearly 85 percent of
the maize, sorghum and groundnut crops in northern Tanzania were affected by
drought, leaving thousands of people without enough to feed their families.
In desperation, people have been eating seeds intended for planting and
traveling to other areas to look for work instead of farming their land.
Compassion has distributed about $500,000 in aid to the neediest people in
an effort to reduce the food crisis. (Mission Network News)

FORMER HOSTAGE TO TESTIFY AGAINST ABDUCTORS IN PHILIPPINES
An American missionary who was held hostage by Muslim extremists for 377
days has returned to the Philippines under tight security to testify against
her abductors, officials said Tuesday, July 27. Gracia Burnham, whose
husband, Martin, was killed during a bloody military rescue mission on June
7, 2002, was invited to testify July 29 against her Abu Sayyaf abductors,
prosecutors said. Ferdinand Sampol, the Manila airport's immigration chief,
said Burnham arrived earlier this week accompanied by U.S. FBI agents. The
Burnhams, missionaries for the Florida-based New Tribes Mission, were
celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary when they were snatched by Abu
Sayyaf terrorists from the Dos Palmas resort on Palawan Island on May 27,
2001, and taken by speedboat to Basilan Island. Fellow American Guillermo
Sobero and 17 Filipinos also were kidnapped. Sobero, from Corona, Calif.,
was among several hostages beheaded by the rebels. Martin Burnham and a
Filipino nurse were killed during the military rescue raid. (WorldWide
Religious News/AP)

SURVEY: TURKISH IMMIGRANTS IN GERMANY BECOMING 'MORE RELIGIOUS'
Turkish immigrants in Germany, almost all of them Muslims, are becoming more
religious. They are strengthening their cultural and religious identity as a
reaction against a perceived aversion to their faith by Germans. Many Turks
have come to Germany as foreign workers since the 1970s. The 2 million
Turkish immigrants form the biggest group of foreigners and Muslims in the
country. Faruk Sen, director of the Center for Turkish Studies in Essen,
recently conducted an extensive survey among Turks in North Rhine-Westfalia,
the most populous of the 16 federal states. The survey indicates that the
percentage of Turkish immigrants who describe themselves as "religious" has
risen to 71 percent, up from 57 percent, between 2000 and 2003. Nearly 20
percent -- 12 percent more than in 2000 -- said they are "very religious."
The results of the survey were published in the news magazine Der Spiegel.
The magazine reported that up to 10 percent of all Turkish immigrants live
in ethnic isolation with no contacts with Germans at home or the workplace.
German Christians have made little effort to evangelize Turks in their
country. (IDEA)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-07 02:16:08 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2004 8:56 AM

Today's Headlines:

AMERICAN MISSIONARY DIES IN PLANE CRASH IN HONDURAS
3 CHINESE CHURCH LEADERS IMPRISONED FOR 'LEAKING STATE SECRETS'
COURT DROPS 'HATE CRIME' CHARGES AGAINST BRAZILIAN EVANGELISTS
NIGERIAN POLICE DISCOVER 50+ BODIES IN CULT SHRINES
SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN INDONESIA FAILS TO QUELL CHRISTIANS
U.S. PASTOR'S SERMON ON STEALING GENERATES SURPRISING RESULTS

Today's News Stories:

AMERICAN MISSIONARY DIES IN PLANE CRASH IN HONDURAS
The body of American missionary Mike Hines, 66, has been found near the
wreckage of his small plane that crashed in the mountains of Honduras last
weekend, reported his daughter, Mary Ann Núñez. Hines was an Assemblies of
God missionary who ministered in Latin America for more than 40 years. Núñez
says he was beloved in Central America for flying low and slow above remote
villages and preaching the gospel from the air via his plane's built-in
sound system. Hines, who grew up in Washington state, spent the past 17
years in Honduras and helped that nation recover from Hurricane Mitch which
killed thousands of people in 1998. Núñez says this is how her father wanted
to die -- "doing God's work until the end." (AgapePress)

3 CHINESE CHURCH LEADERS IMPRISONED FOR 'LEAKING STATE SECRETS'
A Chinese court sentenced three leaders of China's rapidly growing
independent house church movement to up to three years in prison Friday,
Aug. 6, on charges of "leaking state secrets" to overseas organizations,
human rights watchers said. In a statement to the Associated Press, the
China Aid Association (CAA) reported that the Intermediate Peoples Court of
Hangzhou City in Zhejiang found Liu Fenggang, Xu Yonghai and Zhang Shengqi
"guilty of passing on information to an overseas magazine" about a court
case involving another house church member. Liu received three years for
passing on information about the destruction of unofficial churches outside
Hangzhou in a crackdown last year. Xu received two years, and Zhang one
year, the group said. The prison terms were less severe than expected as CAA
had warned that under Chinese Criminal Law, the Christians could face up to
10 years or even life in prison if convicted. The men reportedly attempted
to publicize last year's crackdown on hundreds of ministers and worshipers
who human rights watchers say were detained in sweeps by police. Dozens of
churches were also destroyed. Similar attacks have continued this year.
Recently hundreds of evangelical believers were detained, and Christians
have been tortured and even killed. (Assist News Service)

COURT DROPS 'HATE CRIME' CHARGES AGAINST BRAZILIAN EVANGELISTS
A court in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has ruled in favor of two Christian
evangelists who appealed their conviction last year of violating Brazil's
"hate crime" law. The landmark case involving the distribution of gospel
tracts to Afro-Brazilian spiritists is the first to test a federal law
declaring it a crime to "practice, induce, or incite discrimination" against
members of another religion. Christians in Brazil hailed the decision as
upholding freedom of speech and their right to conduct personal evangelism
in public places. "We can certainly continue evangelistic work on the
beaches, in the streets, in plazas and through all communications media in
Brazil," said Baptist pastor Joaquim de Andrade, one of the defendants in
the case. "They also recognized that we have the right to give our
testimony." (Religion Today/Compass)

NIGERIAN POLICE DISCOVER 50+ BODIES IN CULT SHRINES
Police in eastern Nigeria discovered skulls and corpses of more than 50
people in shrines where a secretive cult was believed to have carried out
traditional ritual killings, said police spokesman Kolapo Shofoluwe on
Thursday, Aug. 5. Two religious leaders and 28 others were arrested in
connection with the Wednesday discovery of bleached skulls, fresh corpses
and others partly mummified at 20 shrines in forests near the town of Okija
in the eastern state of Anambra. Police believed some of the victims --
businessmen, civil servants and others -- may have been poisoned as part of
a shadowy ritual justice system, he said. The group reportedly practices a
ritual in which parties involved in a personal dispute -- often over
business deals -- are made to drink a potion that they are told will kill
only the guilty party. Residents held the religious group, known locally as
Alusi Okija, in "respect and fear," Shofoluwe said. (WorldWide Religious
News/Associated Press)

SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN INDONESIA FAILS TO QUELL CHRISTIANS
Violence against Christians continues in parts of Indonesia despite the
government's attempt to downplay "jihad," says Rody Rodeheaver of
Inter-National Needs Network (INN). National believers often see the
problems as opportunities to share the gospel. "Sometimes the harvest is
even more effective during these periods of upheaval," he says. "No one
wants these periods of upheaval, but God is capable of working in spite of
it. Sectarian violence is an awful thing because it tears at the very fabric
of countries." Rodeheaver says the ministry's seminary remains open in spite
of the dangers. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) also continues to operate
in the country, providing aviation services to missionaries in remote areas.
MAF spokesman Larry Whiting is coordinating an effort to staff and fund a
new hospital in Malinau, East Kalimantan. He says the local regent
responsible for the hospital is a believer. "This will be a great
opportunity for outreach," Whiting says. "There are several unreached people
groups within the area of the hospital. We're hopeful that we can have some
influence from outside to come and help in the hospital to train and to help
reach some of these unreached areas." (Mission Network News)

U.S. PASTOR'S SERMON ON STEALING GENERATES SURPRISING RESULTS
A pastor's sermon on stealing has produced some surprising returns with his
Minneapolis suburb congregation. Last week Derek Rust put up special
"amnesty bins" in the aisles of the Hosanna Lutheran Church in Lakeville,
encouraging sticky-fingered parishioners to return anything they had swiped.
Prompted by his sermon based on the Ten Commandments, Rust was amazed at the
response. In the vast 2,000-seat sanctuary, thieves have been coming in to
return stolen loot -- not during worship, but during the week, when they
could slink in unnoticed. Items left in the bins include men's shirts, a
rubber toy eagle, a soldering iron, CDs, a broom, power drill, Bubble Yum
gum, baby clothes and towels pinched from hotels and motels. "The Ten
Commandments should be lived," Rust said. "That's what sermons should be
about, applying truth to our lives." (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-12 23:48:41 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 7:05 AM

CHRISTIAN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP URGES RELEASE OF 100+ CHINESE PASTORS
RURAL NEPALESE CHRISTIANS FACE GROWING OPPOSITION FROM MAOISTS
CHRISTIAN RADIO SENDS MESSAGE OF HOPE TO WAR-TORN REGION OF SUDAN
TRIBAL CHRISTIANS IN LAOS REMAIN FAITHFUL DESPITE PERSECUTION
LITERATURE MINISTRY HANDS OUT 250 MILLIONTH 'BOOK OF HOPE'
FIRST 'YOUTH MALL' IN U.S. POISED TO REACH TEENS FOR CHRIST

Today's News Stories:

CHRISTIAN HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP URGES RELEASE OF 100+ CHINESE PASTORS
Voice Of the Martyrs (VOM), an international Christian human rights watchdog
group, is urging China to release more than 100 house church leaders who
were rounded up last week by security forces as part of an ongoing
government-led crackdown on evangelical Christians. The group is encouraging
believers everywhere to send letters of protest to the nearest Chinese
embassy. The pastors were arrested Friday, Aug. 6, in Kaifeng City, in
China's Henan province. The pastors were beginning a retreat when 200
military policemen, Public Security Bureau officers and other authorities
arrived in about 20 police and military vehicles along with six minibuses.
Meanwhile, Australia has rejected a bid by an influential Chinese academic
and dissident for political asylum. United Press International reported that
Zhao Jing, who slipped away from a tour group in Sydney on July 21 with a
colleague, believes her application was rejected "under pressure from
Beijing" as the two countries are discussing a free trade deal. Zhao said
she could face "up to 10 years in jail" if she returns to China for her role
in helping distribute books about Chinese persecution of Mongolian and
Tibetan minorities living in the country. (Assist News Service)

RURAL NEPALESE CHRISTIANS FACE GROWING OPPOSITION FROM MAOISTS
Native missionaries taking the gospel to rural ethnic people in the
mountains of Nepal are facing persecution by Maoist insurgents who are doing
their utmost to disrupt missionary travel and church planting. They have
resorted to violence to drive those who spread the gospel away from their
"territory." Recently members of one congregation were in the middle of a
meeting when they were surrounded by gun-wielding Maoists. But after talking
to the angry mob, the Christians persuaded the attackers not to harm anyone.
In another incident, missionaries trying to reach a remote area to follow up
on new believers were almost forced to turn back by Maoists who tried to
capture them. Despite the dangers, native missionaries continue to work in
these difficult conditions, bringing the gospel to isolated ethnic groups in
Maoist-overrun locations. Most of these people live in poverty without
proper healthcare or education. (Missions Insider)

CHRISTIAN RADIO SENDS MESSAGE OF HOPE TO WAR-TORN REGION OF SUDAN
As fresh helicopter attacks threaten to sideline peace efforts in the
war-torn region of Darfur in western Sudan, Words of Hope is sending a
message of eternal peace via the airwaves. Ministry spokesman Lee DeYoung
says people are looking toward the hope of peace. "They're very hungry for
that to happen," he says. " It's close enough that I think the hopes of most
Sudanese people are raised that peace may be at hand. But it's still not yet
a reality, particularly in western Sudan." DeYoung says while instability is
a problem, work teams have seen a demand for more ministry. "The primary
listeners are in the south, but we're heard throughout the country in Dinka
and Nuer," he says. "We are working on increasing our daily broadcasts in
Nuer later this year, from 15 minutes every day to 30 minutes daily. The
Dinka programs will continue to air 15 minutes per day." (Mission Network
News)

TRIBAL CHRISTIANS IN LAOS REMAIN FAITHFUL DESPITE PERSECUTION
Christian congregations within the Bru tribe of Laos have remained faithful
to Christ despite continual persecution from authorities. A Bru pastor, who
asked not to be named, testified of the ordeal he has faced since leaving
his animistic beliefs and committing his life to Christ through a native
missionary in 1990. "Immediately following my conversion I was imprisoned by
authorities for my faith but released two years later," he said. "The next
year we were one of 30 families whose homes, barns and food supplies were
burned to the ground by our persecutors. When I attempted to rebuild a shed
and begin farming again for survival, authorities grew angry. They saw that
they had not destroyed the Christians. So in March 1993 I was arrested again
and taken to prison along with eight other believers. In prison the other
believers and I were chained together by the ankles for seven months. One
day angry officials beat and tortured me until I almost died. Praise God
that He sustained me through this terrible time. After a year of painful
suffering, the other believers and I were finally released." The pastors and
the other Bru Christians then enjoyed four years of freedom, but then they
were arrested yet again. "We were tortured because we would not forsake the
name of Christ," he said. "In one effort to persuade us, the assistant
provincial chief reduced our daily rations to a handful. This went on for
five months. When we still didn't give in, our rations were reduced to
nothing but water for 13 days. We were finally released in May 2000 so we
could return to our wives and children." Despite such treatment, Bru
churches continue to grow and prosper. (Missions Insider)

LITERATURE MINISTRY HANDS OUT 250 MILLIONTH 'BOOK OF HOPE'
An international literature ministry recently passed a key milestone,
handing out its 250 millionth "Book of Hope," says spokesman Bob Hoskins.
The organization is already making plans to reach the 500-million mark and
is ready to launch the "Godman" project. "We created an animated version of
the 'Book of Hope' that powerfully tells the story of Jesus," he says. "It's
going to be shown to illiterates around the world and will also be shown in
[restricted] countries such as China." Hoskins says the ministry is working
with teams that leave almost weekly to serve in 100 countries. "Most of the
distribution is done by local believers that we train on how to reach
children and young people," he says. "We need prayer for our leadership in
those 100 nations. Pray that God would protect them from harm and evil." The
"Book of Hope" combines Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to tell the life story
of Jesus Christ -- the core of the Scriptures. The book reads in
chronological order and features 100 study questions that direct the reader
back to the Bible. God's plan of salvation is laid out clearly at the end of
the book. (Mission Network News/Book of Hope)

FIRST 'YOUTH MALL' IN U.S. POISED TO REACH TEENS FOR CHRIST
A Wisconsin-based ministry is set to launch the nation's first "youth mall."
Organizers say the shopping and activity center in Appleton, Wis. will help
34 churches reach out to teens in their community. In 1954 the nation's
first fully enclosed shopping mall opened in Appleton. Today, 50 years
later, the Valley Fair Mall is getting a major makeover thanks to the
nonprofit organization YouthFutures. The ministry is spearheading the
pending purchase of the dying mall with a grand reopening planned for
Saturday, Aug. 21. "Part of the concept behind the mall is that there are
94,000 teens in this four-county region, and like a lot of other communities
there's not that much for them to do," said YouthFutures Chief Executive
Officer Greg Books. "What we want to create is a venue where there are a
plethora of entertainment choices -- a skate park, theater, paintball area,
stores, food court, places to sit, a comedy house -- none of which will get
you into trouble." The "youth mall" concept won't end in Appleton, Books
said. "There are literally hundreds of cities that have that same
combination of a dead or dying mall, a teen population with nothing to do,
and a strong, vibrant faith community." (Religion Today/Charisma New
Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Psalm 110
2004-08-13 00:01:10 UTC
Permalink
On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:48:41 +1000, "Rowland Croucher"
<***@removethispleaseoptusnet.com.au> wrote:

Bush Pal SUN MYUNG MOON's Nuke Subs to Terrorist State

The issue is NOT purple hearts in Viet Nam, but Black Hearts in
Washington D.C.

George Bush buddy Sun Myung Moon gave nuclear weapons submarine
sea-launch technology to North Korea in 1994.
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Nukes.html


SUN MYUNG MOON gave North Korea NUKE DELIVERY SYSTEMS in 1994.

Sun Myung Moon's Japanese Toen Trading company delivered 12 Russian
Golf missile submarines with launch tubes intact. The North Korean
communists studied this technology and adapted their missiles to be
sea launched from surface and submarine platforms. North Korea now has
nuclear weapon strike capability which can reach the continental
United States from sea-based mobile launch facilities at distances of
2,500 miles. This website has clickable links to Sun Myung Moon
subversion sources, documentation, proof.
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Nukes.html

LINKS -- NK sea-missile capability: http://www.navyseals.com
http://www.janes.com http://www.reuters.co.uk http://news.bbc.co.uk
http://www.washingtontimes.com http://www.newscientist.com
http://www.townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com
http://www.libertyforum.org http://www.theage.com.au
http://www.iht.com http://www.latimes.com

LINKS -- North Korean-born Sun Myung Moon's Toen Trading Submarine
Subversion: http://www.freerepublic.com http://www.usasurvival.org
http://www.gorenfeld.net http://www.davidicke.net
http://blog.mmadsen.org http://www.kenlayne.com
http://www.pandagon.net http://jameswagner.com
http://functionalambivalent.typepad.com http://www.la-mancha.net
http://windsofchange.net http://thoughtcrimes.org http://www.vuw.ac.nz


Sun Myung Moon owns the Washington Times newspaper, and he owns the
UPI (United Press International) wireservice. He controls the main
Washington DC conservative propaganda mill. The Washington Times has
been subsidized by over a billion dollars of moonie slave labor. Every
time that a republican politician quotes the Washington Times, or
writes an article or op-ed in it, Sun Myung Moon is made larger in his
brainwashed follower's eyes. Conservatives are so desperate for
propaganda for their agenda that they willingly aid and abet Sun Myung
Moon's organized crime activities in exchange for the help his
organized crime front operations deliver to them.

Sun Myung Moon has paid ex-presidents, such as George Herbert Walker
Bush up to $10,000,000 for photo-op and endorsements, because his
virtually captive followers have very restricted access to news. They
are told that everybody Moon shakes hands with has accepted Moon as
their lord and savior. This global slave labor force replenishes a $10
million expense for faked stage setting photo-op in a couple of days.

LINKS about Moonies, Bush, Washinton Times connections:
The Moonies: Everything you wanted to know about Sun Myung Moon and
the Unification Church
Moonie and Related Links

* The Right Wing Media Conspiracy - How the Moonies and right wing
groups control the media
* Moonies and the Washington Times - The mouthpiece of Sun Myung
Moon
* Is George Bush a Moonie? - Bush takes $100,000 to endorse the
Moonies
* Inside Look at the Moonies - Great article I snagged
* Moonie Front Organizations - 1000 organization that are Moonie
fronts
* Consortium News - Very good articles about Moonies and other
right wingers
* Bush and Moon - US CIA and Korean CIA?? GHW Bush Praises Sun
Myung Moon as 'Man of Vision'
* Sun Myung Moon - "the Savior, Messiah and King of Kings of all
of humanity"
* The Bush-Kim-Moon Triangle of Money - the political largesse of
Sun Myung Moon.


Sun Myung Moon crowned as Second Coming in DC

The news of a very strange event that occurred at the end of March,
but was quietly swept under the carpet by the mainstream media, is
just now beginning to leak out. Expect to hear more about it in the
coming days. Here's a preview on what surely must be one of the most
bizarre happenings in the long history of Congressional oddities...

It occurred on March 23, 2004 when Reverend Sun Myung Moon, cultist
leader of the Unification Church (currently known as The Family
Federation for World Peace and Unification), was crowned "King of
Peace" in a coronation ceremony. In his coronation speech, Moon told
the audience that it was now time to officially recognize him as the
returned Messiah.

LINKS:
Moon Crowned in the Capital, [Unification Church] Sun Myung Moon
Crowned 'King Of America' At U.S. Senate Building, Hail to the Moon
king, Moon Over Washington, Sun Myung Moon Crowned Messiah By
Congressmen, Sun Myung Moon crowned as Messiah by U.S. Senate! Moonie
leader 'crowned' in Senate, Sun Myung Moon Crowned Messiah! U.S.
Lawmakers Crown rev. Sun Myung Moon Messiah! Here's a guy the
Republicans don't want us to know about. (Actually, it was a democrat
conservative, to the great relief of republican conservatives, who
placed the crown on Moon, in this hoax ceremony. In Moon's world he
replaces all governments with his Taliban, so Republicans and
Democrats all will be liquidated.


The quaint mass marriage ceremonies of the Moonies has another
significance: these represent thousands upon thousand upon thousands
of members of an organized crime empire, as dedicated as body-bomb
suicide muslims, to the eccentric whims of this visibly insane man.
Moonies surreptitiously swell rallies for rightwing causes, clog the
internet forums with their unshakable propaganda-mongering which
cannot be reasoned with, vote as a block and move across state lines
to do it. They even move across international boundaries to meddle in
politics.



Moonies also collaborate with other organized crime rings for mutal
profit.

http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Koctopus_01.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Killer_David_Koch.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/CSE_Organized_Crime.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Corrupt_CFACT.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Seitz_Tobacco_Crimes.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Singer-Nightline.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Singer-1993-1994.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Singer-Seitz.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Stohrer-Singer.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Hazeltine-Singer.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Heidelberg-Appeal.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Corrupt_Sallie_Baliunas.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Walter_Williams_AdTI.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Corrupt_Richard_S_Lindzen.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/ADTI_Frauds_01.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/AdTI_Villians.htm
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Pelosi.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Becky_Norton_Dunlop_AdTI.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Confronting_AdTI.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Chrispeels.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Corrupt_Idsos.html
http://www.ecosyn.us/adti/Corrupt_Fred_Michel.html
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-19 08:02:04 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 8:32 AM

Today's Headlines:

CONGOLESE OFFICIALS RELEASE 7 EMPLOYEES OF CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION
VIETNAMESE CLERGYMAN ARRESTED FOR PREACHING 'ILLEGAL SERMONS'
40,000+ CHRISTIANS FLEE IRAQ FOLLOWING ATTACKS ON CHURCHES
HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP URGES END TO PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAW
'TRIBUTE TO UNKNOWN GOD' DRAWS THOUSANDS AT OLYMPICS
BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGIST CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CAVE

Today's News Stories:

CONGOLESE OFFICIALS RELEASE 7 EMPLOYEES OF CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo released seven employees of
Radio Hosanna, an evangelical radio station in the southern city of
Lubumbashi, on Saturday, Aug. 7. However, they refused to let the station
resume operations since shutting it down three days earlier. On Wednesday,
Aug. 4, national intelligence agents and police officers raided the station
and confiscated the equipment, including the transmitter, and arrested four
of the station's journalists, two technicians and a security guard. The raid
stemmed from the rebroadcast of a sermon by Albert Lukusa, pastor of the
Nouvelle Cité de David (New City of David) Church which owns Radio Hosanna.
During his sermon, Lukusa criticized the government, alleging that it is
corrupt and has mismanaged the country's economy, reported the local press
freedom organization Journaliste en Danger. Lukusa, who was arrested by
members of the National Intelligence Agency on Aug. 3, remains in detention
in Lubumbashi. Authorities accused the pastor of insulting the head of state
and "inciting people to revolt against national authorities." The raid took
place after station employees announced Lukusa's detention on-air,
rebroadcast his sermon and invited listeners to call in to express their
opinions. (AllAfrica.com)

VIETNAMESE CLERGYMAN ARRESTED FOR PREACHING 'ILLEGAL SERMONS'
The head of an illegal church group in Vietnam has been arrested for
preaching without permission. Hong Thien Hank, 57, a clergyman for an
illegal splinter branch of the Cao Dai Church, was detained along with his
wife at their home in the southern province of Tien Giang. The pastor has
been accused of illegally promulgating the beliefs of an "unauthorized sect"
and printing and distributing religious information without permission. All
churches and religious organizations in Vietnam must receive authorization
from the government to operate. The Cao Dai Church, with about 5 million
followers -- mainly in southern Vietnam -- was officially recognized by the
government in 1997. (WorldWide Religious News/ABC)

40,000 CHRISTIANS FLEE IRAQ FOLLOWING ATTACKS ON CHURCHES
An estimated 40,000 Christians have left Iraq in the wake of recent attacks
on churches in the country, says a government official. In statements Sunday
to the Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, the minister for displacement and
migration, Pascale Icho Warda, said that the emigration "is due to the
insecurity and the recent attacks on churches in Baghdad and Mosul." Four
attacks on Christian places of worship in Baghdad and two in Mosul left at
least 10 dead and 50 wounded in early August. On Aug. 2 Pope John Paul II
sent a message to Archbishop Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the
Chaldeans and president of the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Iraq, to
express his sympathy. "At this time of trial I am spiritually close to the
Iraqi Church and society, and I renew the expression of my heartfelt
solidarity to the pastors and faithful," the papal telegram said. John Paul
II assured Iraqi Christians of his prayer and "constant commitment" so that
a "climate of peace and reconciliation will be established in the beloved
country as soon as possible." Christians comprise about 700,000 of Iraq's 24
million inhabitants. (WorldWide Religious News/Zenit)

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP URGES END TO PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAW
The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) has called on Pakistan to
change its controversial Blasphemy Act. Under the law, which has been in
force since 1986, an alleged defamation of Islam or the prophet Mohammed may
be punished with the death sentence. Many non-Muslims, especially
Christians, have been indicted and convicted. But the law is often abused as
a means of private revenge, reported the ISHR based in Frankfurt, Germany.
Two Christians convicted under the act, Anwar Kenneth and Kingri Masih, are
on death row. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf reportedly has promised
more than once to change the blasphemy law. But his announcements have
never been put into practice, apparently because of pressure from Islamic
extremists. ISHR has also called for the abolition of other brutal forms of
punishment such as stoning or whipping for offenses like adultery, gambling
and alcohol consumption. Of Pakistan's 156 million inhabitants, 96 percent
are Muslims, 2.3 percent are Christians and 1.5 percent are Hindus. (IDEA)

'TRIBUTE TO UNKNOWN GOD' DRAWS THOUSANDS AT OLYMPICS
Nearly 2,000 years ago Paul traveled to Greece, shared the gospel and
explained how people could know personally the God they called the "unknown
god." In honor of that, FLAME 2004 held a "Tribute to the Unknown God" rally
in Athens as part of its Olympic Games outreach. Fotis Romeos of AMG
International says 10,000 people attended the event. "We never had such a
meeting in any place of Greece. This was the greatest gathering for a
Christian cause, ever to take place in Greece." Olympic outreach is just
beginning, and he's excited about the potential for evangelism. "We have a
great number of Greeks coming from across Greece, but also I was able to
locate people from Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq. I also located people from
South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. We Practically have the world in
our yard." The ministry is also handing out New Testaments and video copies
of the "Jesus" film. (Mission Network News)

BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGIST CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CAVE
British archaeologists Shimon Gibson says he has found a cave near Jerusalem
where John the Baptist may have baptized his disciples. Gibson spent five
years excavating the site near Jerusalem, unearthing objects apparently used
in ancient purification rituals, reported the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC). Inside the cave, a huge cistern with 28 steps leads to an
underground pool. During a tour of the cave, archaeologists discovered
ancient wall carvings that they say tell the story of the fiery New
Testament preacher as well as a stone that they believe was used for
ceremonial foot washing. But the Bible says John baptized in the Jordan
River, and other archaeologists note that there is no proof that John ever
set foot in the cave. The carvings stem from the Byzantine period and
apparently were made by monks in the fourth or fifth century, possibly to
commemorate John the Baptist at a site linked to him by local tradition. The
79-foot deep cave is at present-day Kibbutz Tzuba, about 2.5 miles from
John's birthplace of Ein Kerem. Gibson's team found a quarter of a million
pieces of pottery, apparently from artifacts used in the immersion process.
(Assist News Service/AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-03 05:55:01 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 9:07 AM


CATHOLIC AID WORKER SHOT IN SUDAN'S IMPERILED DARFUR REGION
BUDDHIST PARTY IN SRI LANKA LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN
MAF IN AUSTRALIA BUYS PLANE TO SERVE ISOLATED ABORIGINAL GROUPS
BIBLE MARKET BOOMS IN BRAZIL AS 'RELIGIOUS AWAKENING' SPREADS
MINISTRIES WORK TO RESCUE CHILD PROSTITUTES IN INDIA, NEPAL
CHRISTIAN STUDENTS, MISSIONARIES AMONG HOSTAGES HELD IN RUSSIA

Today's News Stories:

CATHOLIC AID WORKER SHOT IN SUDAN'S IMPERILED DARFUR REGION
A Catholic aid worker from the Belgium charity Caritas was shot and
seriously injured while delivering medical supplies to a refugee camp in
western Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, Catholic officials said Wednesday,
Sept. 1. The man, whose nationality was not revealed, "came under fire as he
was traveling in a vehicle carrying aid supplies to Mershing" in southern
Darfur, the organization reported. This adds to concerns about Christian
relief efforts to tackle what aid workers have called the "world's worst
humanitarian crisis," said Chris Bain, director of the Catholic Agency for
Overseas Development (CAFOD) in an interview with Independent Catholic News.
"This incident demonstrates the highly dangerous situation [aid agencies are
operating in]. Our thoughts and prayers are with the driver and his family."
Bain added that "staff security is a priority" and that his organization is
doing "everything" to protect its workers and partners. Meanwhile, the
French Press Agency reported that two groups of Sudanese hostages -- 22
health workers and eight workers from international agencies -- were
kidnapped in Darfur this week. Rebels denied any involvement in the
kidnapping. The 18-month conflict between Sudan's government (backed by Arab
militia allies) and two rebel groups has forced an estimated 1.4 million
people from their homes and left 30,000 to 50,000 dead. (BosNewsLife)

BUDDHIST PARTY IN SRI LANKA LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN
Sri Lanka's JHU party, made up entirely of Buddhist monks, has apparently
begun an international campaign to gain support from embassies and
governments around the world for their anti-conversion bill. Local sources
in Sri Lanka said that members of the party have met with numerous foreign
embassies in the country. Some JHU members of parliament are now in Canada
as part of the Sri Lankan delegation to the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association Summit in Ottawa, Ontario, Sept. 1-9. There is concern that they
may use this summit to gain international sympathy for their proposed
religiously discriminatory legislation. (Voice of the Martyrs)

MAF IN AUSTRALIA BUYS PLANE TO SERVE ISOLATED ABORIGINAL GROUPS
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Australia has taken delivery of a new
eight-seat aircraft that will serve isolated aboriginal groups in Arnhem
Land. In a special hand-over ceremony at Latrobe Regional Airport in
Morwell, Victoria, Tuesday, Aug. 31, MAF took possession of a GA8 Airvan
manufactured by Gippsland Aeronautics. This is the first new aircraft to be
purchased by the ministry in Australia in 20 years. Jim Charlesworth, former
chief executive officer of MAF, says most of the money used to buy the
aircraft was raised by private donations. The GA8 is the first of two planes
to be purchased by the ministry this year. It will be based at Gove in
Australia's Northern Territory and will transport passengers and essential
supplies to aboriginal families living in remote parts of Arnhem Land. Among
those present at a hand-over ceremony were senior personnel from MAF and
Gippsland Aeronautics along with the Latrobe Mayor Darrell White. (Mission
Aviation Fellowship/Gippsland Aeronautics)

BIBLE MARKET BOOMS IN BRAZIL AS 'RELIGIOUS AWAKENING' SPREADS
The Bible Belt has moved south . . . all the way south to Brazil. A
religious awakening in the country in the past decade along with the rapid
advance of evangelical churches and smart business planning by publishers
have made Brazil a leading international Bible publisher. "All 136 country
chapters of the World Bible Society taken together published 21 million
Bibles last year. Our share was 4.2 million," says Erni Seibert, marketing
director of the Brazilian Bible Society. Roy Lloyd, a spokesman for the
society's U.S. chapter, adds that "more Bibles are produced in Brazil than
at any of the other Bible societies around the world." Brazil's other
publishers printed an additional 1.5 million Bibles in 2003. Evangelical
churches have multiplied rapidly in Brazil, rising to 15 percent of the
population in 2000, up from just 9 percent a decade earlier. Economic
factors have also contributed to the Bible boom as the cost of producing
Bibles has dropped dramatically due to the society's huge printing plant,
Seibert said. "I can print a full-text Bible in imitation leather with a
binding that will last through 20 years of daily readings for the equivalent
of US$3," he said. Since its founding in 1948, the Brazilian chapter has
translated the Bible into 35 of the country's 180 known Indian tongues.
(WorldWide Religious News/Associated Press)


MINISTRIES WORK TO RESCUE CHILD PROSTITUTES IN INDIA, NEPAL
An estimated 40 percent of the 100,000 girls working as prostitutes in the
brothels of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India, are under the age of 18.
Thousands have been taken there from Nepal, virtually kidnapped by
smooth-talking men who persuaded them to go to India where they are promised
"good jobs." Some of the girls have been sold for as little as $20 by poor
parents who could not feed their families. Often the parents are promised
that their daughters will send them money, but this never happens. Once in
India, the girls are raped and beaten into submission. They have no
opportunity to contact authorities because of strict surveillance by their
kidnappers. Within a few years, the girls often die from sexually
transmitted diseases. Indigenous Christian ministries in both India and
Nepal have begun to rescue some of these girls from their miserable lives as
sex slaves. Workers with one ministry in Nepal go door-to-door, showing the
women a video about the flesh trade and warning families about the dangers
of sending their daughters to unknown "employment" in India. Other
ministries work to rehabilitate the girls who have been rescued from
prostitution, giving them a safe place to live and providing vocational
training. Many of the girls' lives have been transformed by God's grace and
power. (Missions Insider)

CHRISTIAN STUDENTS, MISSIONARIES AMONG HOSTAGES HELD IN RUSSIA
Explosions rocked a school in southern Russia today where hundreds of
hostages are being held, including more than 50 Christian schoolchildren and
two missionaries. Reporters said they saw "large plumes of black smoke
rising over the building" but were unable to provide any explanation for the
two blasts. Officials said militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at two
cars that got too close to the school, but neither car was hit.

Shortly after the explosions, camouflaged security agents carried babies to
safety as militants released 31 women and children. Officials expressed hope
that negotiations would bring more progress in the standoff. The
developments came after a night of telephone negotiations between Russian
authorities and about 20 heavily armed militants who stormed the middle
school early Wednesday, Sept. 1, on the first day of classes of the new
school year. They rounded up more than 350 children and adults and began
threatening to blow up the building if police launched an assault. All of
the hostages are being held in the gymnasium with children placed in the
windows as human shields. Reports vary, but at least seven people have
already been killed, including a parent of one of the schoolchildren, a girl
and two policemen.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped to avoid the use of force to
end the hostage crisis in the town of Beslan in the Russian republic of
North Ossetia, the Voice of America reported. The militants, who are
believed to be from the troubled neighboring Russian republic of Chechnya,
reportedly rejected an offer of safe passage out of the area and a request
to exchange adults for about 100 of the children being held.

An official from Russian Ministries which is actively supporting the school,
told Mission Network News (MNN) that two staff members and their Christian
children were inside the complex. "One of them is the coordinator for the
region there, and the other one is the pastor of the church there in
Beslan," said Sergey Rakhuba. "And it happens that they are brothers by
blood and by faith and that all eight of their children are there." Russian
Ministries Director Genady Terkun, who was outside the school grounds, told
reporters that "many of the children were very excited about the beginning
of school and happy because they had just returned from summer camps . . .
where they learned about Jesus."

Meanwhile, violence by Chechen rebels is forcing many Russians to think
about spiritual things. HCJB World Radio missionary Mark Irwin, who lives in
Moscow, told MNN that he lives just two subway stations away from the
location of a suicide bombing earlier this week. He said Russians are
searching for answers. "When it comes down to things such as terrorism, I
think people look for answers to life's real questions that face us in life.
That's even more reason why we need to develop Christian radio in this
country so that people will know the hope that's only be found in Jesus."
The ministry continues to expand Christian radio in Russia. "We're doing
everything we can to develop the local Christian broadcasting
infrastructure," Irwin says. "That includes training people . . . and
developing studios so that people will have the equipment with which to make
their own radio programs." (BosNewsLife/Mission Network News/Associated
Press/Reuters/Assist News Service/Voice of America)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-07 23:18:20 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 6:32 AM

Today's Headlines:

RWANDA'S PRESIDENT REQUESTS 500,000 BIBLES FOR PEOPLE DYING OF AIDS
MASKED GUNMEN KILL 3 IN ATTACK ON EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN COLOMBIA
SECOND PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN TORTURED TO DEATH BY POLICE
5 CHRISTIAN CHILDREN STILL MISSING AFTER RUSSIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS
NEPAL'S WORSENING POLITICAL SITUATION DISRUPTS MISSION WORK
CHRISTIAN TV PROGRAMS BRING MESSAGE OF HOPE TO IRAQI BELIEVERS

Today's News Stories:

RWANDA'S PRESIDENT REQUESTS 500,000 BIBLES FOR PEOPLE DYING OF AIDS
As HIV/AIDS spreads in the African country of Rwanda, the government is
concerned not only about people's physical problems, but also their
spiritual needs, says Rochunga Pudaite, founder and president of Bibles for
the World. "Almost 60 percent of the population in that country is infected
with HIV," he says. "We met with the president [Paul Kagame], and he made a
very strong appeal that these people are going to die. He asked, 'Would you
be so kind enough to provide Bibles?'" Pudaite says the people are more open
to the gospel because they know they're dying. "They're suffering with AIDS.
They do not have a Bible. The president is appealing that we provide half a
million Bibles right away so that these HIV-infected people will have a
chance to read the Bible at least once in their lifetime before they die."
(Mission Network News)

MASKED GUNMEN KILL 3 IN ATTACK ON EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN COLOMBIA
Three people were killed and 14 seriously injured Saturday, Sept. 4, when
masked men opened fire on a church in southern Colombia during a prayer
service. The gunmen attacked the Christian and Missionary Alliance church of
about 45 people in Obrero, Puerto Asis, with automatic weapons. Pastor
Francisco Sevillano told the Bogota newspaper, El Tiempo, "Three men wearing
black hoods came in shooting. People started running around everywhere, not
knowing what to do." Two children, ages 7 and 11, were among those injured.
News reports offer conflicting explanations as to who was responsible or why
they attacked the church. Some indicate that right-wing paramilitaries were
likely to have been responsible, but others say the left-wing guerrilla
group, FARC, had declared a new offensive in the region. The reason behind
the attack is also unclear. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

SECOND PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN TORTURED TO DEATH BY POLICE
Another Christian has died in Pakistan as a result of severe torture at the
hands of the police, reported Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) Monday,
Sept. 6. Nasir Masih, 26, was arrested on "false charges of theft" on Aug.
16, and died three days later after sustaining multiple injuries. This was
the third murder of a Pakistani Christian this year, and the second carried
out by police. Nasir's father, Mukhtar Masih, said the troubles began when
Nasir was taken from his home in Baldia, Siekhupura, 30 miles from Lahore,
by a group of Muslims. "A few hours later police informed his family that he
had been arrested and charged with theft. The accusation had been made by
one of the group which took Nasir from his home," reported CSW. A case has
been registered against 10 people, including six policemen, for allegedly
torturing Nasir Masih to death during his detention on the orders of
District Police Officer Shahid Iqbal. No arrests have yet been made.
Hundreds of Christians reportedly protested Masih's murder by blocking the
road from Siekhupura to Lahore on Aug. 20. Pakistani authorities have warned
local Christians not to pursue the case against the police. (BosNewsLife)

5 CHRISTIAN CHILDREN STILL MISSING AFTER RUSSIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS
Prayer and memorial services were underway in Russia and the U.S. after
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Monday and Tuesday as national
days of mourning for the hundreds of people who died in the three-day
hostage drama at a middle school in Beslan in the Russian republic of North
Ossetia. Russian Ministries, a U.S.-backed Christian aid organization
working in the devastated region, said two of its Russian pastors who lost
children in the tragedy would lead a group memorial service in Beslan today.
Pastors Sergey and Taymuraz Totiev, two brothers, "had eight children" among
the hostages. "Of the eight children, two are injured, one has died
(8-year-old Anna) and five remain unaccounted for," Russian Ministries
reported. It was not immediately clear if the Totievs had managed to reach a
nearby hospital to search for these children. (BosNewsLife/Assist News
Service)

NEPAL'S WORSENING POLITICAL SITUATION DISRUPTS MISSION WORK
Native missionaries in Nepal report that their evangelistic work has been
inhibited due to the tense political situation following the murder of 12
Nepali hostages in Iraq. On August 31, an Islamic militant group released
video footage of the executions of 12 Nepali men. Contracted by a Jordanian
business to do work in Iraq, the men had been held hostage for a little more
than a week. The incident has sparked outrage among Nepalis in recent days,
exacerbating an already tense situation that began recently with Maoist
rebel attacks within Kathmandu. Protesters have vandalized and gutted the
agency offices that sent Nepali workers to Iraq. They blocked off roads with
burning tires and other debris, causing a virtual shutdown of the capital
city. Mission leaders said that gospel work has been slowed in recent days.
Numerous meetings had to be canceled. Students were unable to attend a Bible
college. A training session for mission workers had to be called off. One
missionary wrote, "A country once known as peaceful is just a dream now."
(Missions Insider)

CHRISTIAN TV PROGRAMS BRING MESSAGE OF HOPE TO IRAQI BELIEVERS
The recent departure of an estimated 40,000 Christians from Iraq in areas
where fierce battles rage between coalition forces and terrorist supporters
could lead to a "very disastrous situation," says Glen Hartson of SAT-7
which beams Christian programming to the Middle East and Egypt. If the
exodus continues, evangelism will be affected, further exacerbating the
situation. The broadcasts are playing a key role in helping the church "grow
and be strengthened," he says. Ironically, the mass departure of Iraqi
Christians has resulted indirectly from the liberation of Iraq and is
largely due to the tension and fighting between the coalition forces and
terrorists. Iraqi Christians have gone from living in relative security to
living in constant danger, Hartson explains. While Iraqi Christians are
caught in the middle of a tense political situation, the ministry is urging
believers to maintain a presence and witness in the troubled country.
(Religion Today/Agape Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-22 02:51:56 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 8:38 AM

Today's Headlines:

THOUSANDS OF IRAQI CHRISTIANS FLEE HOMES AFTER LATEST BOMBINGS
SAUDI COURT FORMALIZES CHARGES AGAINST JAILED CHRISTIAN FROM INDIA
IRANIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST 80+ EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN RAID
TURKMENISTAN POLICE INCREASE PRESSURE ON LOCAL CHURCH
BELIEVERS IN THAILAND SET STRATEGY TO PLANT 800 CHURCHES BY 2010
40,000+ CHURCHES WORLDWIDE TO PRAY FOR PEACE OF JERUSALEM OCT. 3

Today's News Stories:

THOUSANDS OF IRAQI CHRISTIANS FLEE HOMES AFTER LATEST BOMBINGS
Recent bombings of Iraqi churches and an attack on a seminary has prompted a
new exodus of Christians who are seeking sanctuary in Syria, says Todd
Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs (VOM). He says Iraqi Christians believe
they are an "unprotected religious minority" as oppression continues. "Many
Christians are also choosing to [flee to] Kurdish areas of Iraq in order to
have a better chance to be safe from radical Islamic people who are gaining
more control and more power and acting out violently against Christians."
Some observers think the violence is more related to anti-Western sentiment,
confusing Christianity with U.S. interests. The issue has forced a change in
how ministries are conducted in Iraq. VOM's distribution and support network
is made up of nationals in an effort to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
"We have not had Americans in Iraq in the last couple of months," Nettleton
said. "We are working with the Christians there. We're trying to provide aid
to them as well as printed Bibles and other Christian literature." (Mission
Network News)

SAUDI COURT FORMALIZES CHARGES AGAINST JAILED CHRISTIAN FROM INDIA
Brian O'Connor, a Christian guest worker from India, appeared before an
Islamic court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, Sept. 15, nearly six
months after he was arrested, tortured and jailed for allegedly "spreading
Christianity" in the strict Islamic kingdom. O'Connor was informed for the
first time of the legal charges against him, including possession of alcohol
and pornographic movies and preaching Christianity. It was unclear whether
any attempt was made to produce evidence of the charges. O'Connor reportedly
acknowledged that he led Bible studies for expatriate Christians in his home
which is illegal under Saudi Arabia's controversial policies. O'Connor, who
has been jailed since March, is one of about 6 million foreign workers in
the country, most of whom are not Muslim. Middle East Concern (MEC) reported
that he "led study sessions for Catholic immigrants from different
countries." AsiaNews, a Catholic news service, joined an international
campaign Friday, Sept. 17, in an effort to pressure the Saudi government
into freeing O'Connor. (Compass/Assist News Service)

IRANIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST 80+ EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN RAID
Iranian police invaded the annual general conference of Iran's Assemblies of
God Church Thursday, Sept. 9, arresting at least 80 church leaders who were
gathered at the church's denominational center in Karaj, 20 miles west of
Tehran. Each individual was reportedly questioned separately by security
officials who had a specific list of questions. By evening, the authorities
had released all the arrested Christians except for the 10 pastors among
them. The location of these 10 men is unknown, and their families have not
been allowed any contact with them. All of the evangelicals who were
released were ordered not to attend church services. "This is the biggest
crisis for evangelical believers in the country since three Protestant
pastors were murdered 10 years ago," said another source. (Compass)

TURKMENISTAN POLICE INCREASE PRESSURE ON LOCAL CHURCH
Police have apparently launched another major crackdown on a Baptist
congregation in the town of Balkanabad in western Turkmenistan, threatening
church members that if they meet for worship again they will be fined.
Baptists in Turkmenistan reported that an officer from the criminal
investigation department arrived at the home of Nikolai Matsenko on the
afternoon of Friday, Aug. 20. After questioning him about the church's
activity, the officer warned him that if any further services take place in
his flat he will be fined. Later that evening, another police officer
arrived at the home, presenting himself as the new local policeman and
declaring that he had come to get to know him. At 11 p.m. the following
evening, a group of people again knocked on the door. One of them introduced
himself as the local policeman (although this was not the same man as the
officer who had arrived the previous day). Police officers reportedly
visited several other church members in the town, including new converts, at
the end of August. One young man was forcibly dragged from his home to the
police station. (Forum 18 News Service)

BELIEVERS IN THAILAND SET STRATEGY TO PLANT 800 CHURCHES BY 2010
Thailand's first-ever missionary strategy conference earlier this year
resulted in commitment to plant a new church in each of the country's 800
districts by 2010, said Steve Spaulding, Asia coordinator for the Dawn
Movement. Participants also set a goal to establish a "Christian presence"
in each of the country's 8,000 sub-districts and a "Christian witness" in
each of the 80,000 villages. The national plan unites Thailand's three
different Protestant streams -- the Evangelical Fellowship of Thailand, the
Church of Christ of Thailand and the Baptists Association -- under the
Thailand Evangelism Commission. The congress, with the motto "Get together,
go together, gain together," also marked the 175th anniversary of
Christianity in Thailand. There are more than 4,000 Christian churches in
this nation of 63 million people. Cooperative church-planting projects in
some provinces have seen encouraging results. (Friday Fax)

40,000+ CHURCHES WORLDWIDE TO PRAY FOR PEACE OF JERUSALEM OCT. 3
More than 40,000 churches worldwide have confirmed that they will take part
in the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem Sunday, Oct. 3, said
Rev. Robert Stearns, co-chairman of the event to be held near the Knesset
parliament building in Jerusalem, Israel. "Our website (www.daytopray.com)
has received 1 million hits in the last three weeks alone with new city,
state and national coordinators being added daily. We are expecting millions
from around the world to be praying on the first Sunday of October, and
thousands to be at the prayer gathering in Jerusalem," said Stearns in a
press release. "This is a grassroots movement. . . . We have confirmed
participation in 50 nations." Pat Robertson, a leading evangelical figure,
will be the keynote speaker at the gathering in Jerusalem. (Assist News
Service)


Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
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http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-24 00:28:09 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2004 8:49 AM

Today's Headlines:

ERITREAN AUTHORITIES ARREST 5 MORE EVANGELICALS IN CHURCH RAID
GUNMEN MAY HAVE TARGETED 2 CANADIAN CHRISTIANS KILLED IN IRAQ
SAUDI RELIGIOUS POLICE OUTLAW PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF NON-MUSLIM FAITH
CHRISTIAN GROUPS BRING PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AID TO HURRICANE VICTIMS
NATIONAL MISSIONARIES REACH OUT TO REMOTE TRIBES IN BENIN
SURVEY: INTEREST IN RELIGION CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN U.S.

Today's News Stories:

ERITREAN AUTHORITIES ARREST 5 MORE EVANGELICALS IN CHURCH RAID
Police in Asmara, a city in the northeastern African country of Eritrea,
stormed the New Covenant Church the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 7, and
arrested the five members who were meeting, reported Compass Direct. After a
day's detention, the one woman in the group was released. The four men,
including the pastor, Yohannes, were transferred to the Adi-Abyto military
camp. Hundreds of evangelical Christians have been arrested, some held for
months in metal shipping containers with limited food and air. On Wednesday,
Sept. 15, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that Eritrea has
been included in its list of "countries of particular concern" because of
the government's repressive action against any religious group not
officially recognize. Saudi Arabia and Vietnam also made the list for the
first time while Myanmar, China, Iran, North Korea and Sudan remained on the
list. The list was announced as the State Department made public its 2004
Annual Report on International Religious Freedom. (Voice of the Martyrs)

GUNMEN MAY HAVE TARGETED 2 CANADIAN CHRISTIANS KILLED IN IRAQ
Two Canadians were chased down, beaten and shot to death in Baghdad last
week because of their Christian faith, say family members in Iraq and
Canada. Official accounts indicate that the two men, Andrew Shmakov and
Munir Toma, died as the result of a car bombing Tuesday, Sept. 14, that
killed 47 people. However, Toma's relatives in Baghdad gave a much different
account, saying that he had been shot 17 times. His wife, Baydah, and
6-year-old daughter, Rita, are reportedly hiding in Iraq, fearing for their
lives. Shmakov and Toma had established a construction company as part of
the rebuilding efforts in Iraq. Family members in Iraq said the gunmen
attacked the victims as they left their office. The two men tried to flee in
their car, but the attackers followed in four other cars, ambushed them and
killed them. (Voice of the Martyrs)

SAUDI RELIGIOUS POLICE OUTLAW PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF NON-MUSLIM FAITH
A senior Saudi cleric says Saudi Arabia does not stop non-Muslims from
practicing their religion, but will never allow public displays of their
faith. The chief of the powerful religious police told a newspaper that his
group does not detain or punish non-Muslims for practicing their religion.
He said that while members of the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue
and the Prevention of Vice -- the formal name for the religious police -- do
not harass or force non-Muslims to convert, "We will not allow them to
publicly practice their religion in this country." Although he did not
mention it specifically, his comments appeared to come in response to a U.S.
State Department report that accused Saudi Arabia of "particularly severe
violations" of religious freedom. The religious police are charged with
ensuring that women are covered in black robes outside their homes, the
sexes do not mix in public, shops close five times a day for prayers, and
men go to mosques for prayers. (AgapePress)

CHRISTIAN GROUPS BRING PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AID TO HURRICANE VICTIMS
Hope International is gearing up to help small business owners in the
Dominican Republic where Tropical Storm Jeanne left 17 people dead. Across
the Caribbean, the death toll from the storm could reach 2,000, and more
than 250,000 are homeless. Hope International's Dave Larson says his
ministry has taken an unconventional approach to helping victims in the
Dominican Republic. "Ninety-nine percent of what is done after natural
disasters are handouts -- giving people food, water, clothing, shelter.
However, I've found the best thing in the long run is to help people get
back on their feet is not a handout, but a hand up. We're doing that through
micro-finance -- small business loans." By helping in a physical way, it
also has spiritual implications. "By working with churches and other
Christian ministries you gain opportunities to earn the right to be heard,"
Larson says. "You can share the love of Christ both tangibly and verbally
through this type of ministry."

Meanwhile, workers with the International Bible Society (IBS) are
distributing copies of the Scripture booklet, "When Your Whole World
Changes" to those affected by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan in the
southeastern U.S. The storms damaged thousands of homes and caused shortages
of food and other basic supplies. Depression has also set in. IBS Outreach
Director Sues Hyde says the revised booklet, containing 30 daily readings,
was developed after Hurricane Andrew hit the Miami area in 1992. Local
churches are working to distribute copies in areas affected by the latest
storms. "We have run out [of the booklet] in our warehouse. It has been a
popular item during this season. But more [are being printed], and we're
expecting them this week." (Mission Network News/ABC News)

NATIONAL MISSIONARIES REACH OUT TO REMOTE TRIBES IN BENIN
Indigenous ministries in the West African nation of Benin are working to
bring the gospel to remote tribal groups. Despite hindrances of Islam and
demonic worship, their efforts have produced fruit. One example is the
Tchito tribe in southern Benin. Since January missionaries have worked to
establish a presence among this people group. At first they faced obstacles
from animistic superstitions and Islamic opponents. The small evangelical
churches faced constant challenges. Missionaries said the people have lived
in such oppressive poverty and spiritual darkness that they "do not believe
in happiness." Yet the light of Christ is breaking through this darkness.
Native missionaries mobilized the few Tchito believers they found to pray
regularly for their fellow tribal members. The churches have begun to grow,
and a training and discipleship program has been started to support
struggling Christians and raise up new gospel workers. Unbelievers have
begun taking notice of the effects on their communities, sensing that many
"troubles and bewitchments" caused by animistic worship have stopped.
Through crusades, discipleship programs and other evangelistic tools, native
missionaries in Benin are reaching thousands of tribal people for Christ.
(Christian Aid Mission)

SURVEY: INTEREST IN RELIGION CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN U.S.
A new survey by the Institute for Jewish and Community Research concludes
that religious identity in the U.S. has declined in the past decade. The San
Francisco-based group's survey, titled "The Decline of Religious Identity in
the United States," found that 16 percent of respondents declined to
identify with a particular faith, up from less than 10 percent in the early
1990s. This "nonreligious" group is now the third largest in the nation,
trailing Catholics at 24 percent and Baptists at 17 percent. "Although it is
too soon to know if this evidence will mark the start of a long-term
trend -- or exactly what the decline implies -- if it persists, these
numbers clearly contradict the notion that all Americans are becoming more
religious," said Gary Tobin, the institute's president. "While some
Americans are becoming more religious, a significant number are moving in
the other direction." (WorldWide Religious News/UPI)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
_______________________________________________

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-14 23:47:06 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 2:23 AM

Today's Headlines:

GROUP OF BAPTIST MISSIONARIES EVACUATE HAITI AFTER RECEIVING THREATS
AFGHAN CHRISTIANS TAKE WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE FOLLOWING ELECTION
RELIGIOUS FIGHTING IN NIGERIAN STATE KILLS 53,000+ PEOPLE IN 3 YEARS
TV PROGRAM ON CHRIST'S LIFE TO AIR ON NATIONAL NETWORK IN INDIA
SIM OPENS CENTER FOR HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN ETHIOPIAN CAPITAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA CALLS FOR LEGALIZATION OF GAY MARRIAGE

Today's News Stories:

GROUP OF BAPTIST MISSIONARIES EVACUATE HAITI AFTER RECEIVING THREATS
The American Embassy and the Haitian government are taking seriously threats
from the thugs of exiled president Jean Bertrand Aristide to kidnap and harm
foreigners in Haiti. On Sunday, Oct. 10, a specific threat was made against
a Baptist mission in Haiti, and the U.S. embassy urged the Baptist
missionaries to leave immediately. They reportedly left after church
services that day. Recently there has been a renewed wave of violence in
Haiti's capital carried out by thugs loyal to Aristide's political party.
The violence resumed last week while U.N. peacekeepers and Haitian police
turned their attention to the catastrophic flooding in Gonaives and
surrounding areas that left some 3,000 people dead more than 300,000
homeless. Last week the thugs -- following the example of Iraqi
insurgents -- kidnapped three Haitian police officers. They were later found
beheaded. Another nine police officers were killed when they searched a slum
that is home to many of the bandits. CNN reported that a Brazilian
peacekeeper was also injured during the offensive when he was shot in the
foot. Those leading the protesters and inciting the violence have called
their actions, "Operation Baghdad." Christian leaders in Haiti say the
underlying cause of the political, economic and environmental crisis in
Haiti is "spiritual warfare." Mission leaders are urging believers to pray
for the safety of foreign missionaries and all Haitian Christians. (Assist
News Service)

AFGHAN CHRISTIANS TAKE WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE FOLLOWING ELECTION
The Free and Fair Election Foundations of Afghanistan (FEFA) reported
Sunday, Oct. 10, that Afghanistan's first democratic ballot since the
overthrow of the Taliban regime in 2001 was "free and fair." FEFA,
comprising 13 local non-governmental organizations, said it was encouraged
by the "democratic process" surrounding the vote, which was widely expected
to have been won by Hamid Karzai, the U.S.-backed interim president.
Representatives of Christians, who make up less than 1 percent of
Afghanistan's close to 29 million people, made clear that regardless of who
takes over Afghanistan, their situation may not improve under the
controversial constitution. Human rights watchers say that Islamic law will
still be the supreme law of the land and that the provisions of Islam are
undefined in the constitution, giving hard-line Islamic judges and jurists
too much power to maneuver against Christians. There is now hope that
Karzai, if elected, will address the religious and human rights situation,
although analysts warn that attacks by remnants of the Taliban regime could
undermine these efforts. (BosNewsLife)

RELIGIOUS FIGHTING IN NIGERIAN STATE KILLS 53,000+ PEOPLE IN 3 YEARS
Violence between Christians and Muslims in the last three years has left
more than 53,000 people dead in a central Nigerian state, officials said. A
government-appointed committee said 53,787 people had died in Plateau state
between September 2001 and May 2004 when the government declared a state of
emergency after a massacre that left hundreds dead in the town of Yelwa. It
was the first official death toll from sectarian violence in the region. The
tallies were based on figures gathered from family members who said they
have lost relatives, said Thomas Kagnaan, chairman of the Committee on
Rehabilitation and Reconciliation of Internally Displaced People. Among the
dead were 17,459 children, 17,397 women and 18,931 men. Some 281,164 people
were also displaced during the violence. Plateau state has been plagued by
ethnic and religious fighting since skirmishes erupted in September 2001.
(WorldWide Religious News/Associated Press)

TV PROGRAM ON CHRIST'S LIFE TO AIR ON NATIONAL NETWORK IN INDIA
Hindu extremism in India isn't getting in the way of an unprecedented
opportunity to the story of Christ. Book of Hope International's Rob Hoskins
recently returned from India where the country's national television network
signed a letter of intent to air the ministry's "God Man" special. "What
we're talking about is the potential viewing audience of 1.4 billion people
because it's not just the nation of India, but the entire subcontinent.
It'll be a simultaneous broadcast to all of India as well as Pakistan,
Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. . . . It's the most evangelistic presentation
of the life of Christ ever in that part of the world." The professional
animated production is geared primarily for children and young people. Plans
are to translate it into 14 languages spoken in the region as funds become
available. (Mission Network News)

SIM OPENS CENTER FOR HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN ETHIOPIAN CAPITAL
SIM opened the Medan Addis Ababa Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center for
HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Friday, 8. "This center is the
culmination of years of hard work, prayer and giving by many people," said
SIM missionary Dr. Tim Teusink. "SIM and the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church
(which relates to the ministry in Ethiopia) view the opening as a huge step
forward in the struggle against the AIDS epidemic in this, the largest city
in the Horn of Africa. The center's impact on this community and country
will be transformational." The center was officially opened by the doctor
who heads the Addis Ababa City Health Department in the presence of
government, community and church leaders. The celebration included a drama
performed by a local group, speeches, singing, prayers, tours and a feast of
Ethiopian food. In addition to counseling and testing, the center will be
the focal point of education programs held through anti-AIDS youth clubs
that focus on behavioral change. It will also be used for community-based
home care and support for people living with AIDS, care of orphans and other
vulnerable children, and a clinic for AIDS patients. In addition, it will be
a center for income-generating activities for impoverished families that
have been affected by the disease. This is the fifth such center that the
Kale Heywet Church has opened in Ethiopia in conjunction with SIM. (SIM)

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA CALLS FOR LEGALIZATION OF GAY MARRIAGE
One of Canada's major Protestant denominations is calling on the nation's
highest court to legalize homosexual "marriage." The United Church of
Canada, an amalgamation of Presbyterian and Methodist congregations, is
arguably one of the most liberal denominations in North America. The
denomination was one of the first to ordain homosexual pastors and has now
joined with those calling for the legalization of same-sex marriage
nationwide. Lawyers for the Canadian government have, along with several
other groups, gone before the Supreme Court of Canada to get its blessing on
a draft bill that redefines marriage to include same-sex couples before
bringing the bill before the parliament. Those who oppose homosexual
marriage are making their arguments before the court also. The Globe and
Mail newspaper reported that one of the questions the Supreme Court justices
are considering is whether the nation's churches will remain free to refuse
to marry same-sex couples. (Religion Today/AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ (13,000+ articles)
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-19 00:10:39 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 3:10 AM

Today's Headlines:

HOMEMADE BOMBS EXPLODE AT 5 MORE CHURCHES IN BAGHDAD
MUSLIM MILITANTS IN NIGERIA THREATEN TO KILL CHRISTIAN NURSES
ROUNDTABLE NOTES IMPROVED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN EURO-ASIA
LOCAL CHURCH PARTNERS MULTIPLY EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS IN EAST AFRICA
10-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN WEBSITE ATTRACTS 9 MILLIONS HITS EACH MONTH
INTERNET BOOSTS OUTREACH TO LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH

Today's News Stories:

HOMEMADE BOMBS EXPLODE AT 5 MORE CHURCHES IN BAGHDAD
Blasts rocked five Christian churches in four Baghdad neighborhoods early
Saturday, Oct. 15, as a string of violent incidents marred the start of the
Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Homemade bombs detonated at the churches in a
series of explosions from 4:20 a.m. to 6 a.m. local time, causing damage but
no casualties. A CNN crew was at the scene of one of the bombings -- the
Roman Catholic St. George's Church -- where they saw extensive damage.
Soldiers believe 60 pounds of explosives was used in that attack. St.
Jacob's Church, St. Joseph Church, St. Thomas Church and the Church of Rome
were also struck. Although most Iraqis in the country of 26 million are
Muslims, Christians number about 700,000. Muslims sometimes link Iraqi
Christians to the U.S.-led coalition because some work in Iraqi government
ministries or for groups set up by coalition authorities.

The head of a ministry that serves persecuted Christians worldwide says the
future of Iraq's churches is being threatened as believers continue leaving
the country. Kidnappings, written threats, bombings and murders by Muslim
terrorists are driving thousands of Iraqi Christians out of their homeland.
Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, says while it is understandable
that many Iraqi Christians fear for their lives, the exodus is leaving a
spiritual void in the country. "Without a strong Christian presence in Iraq
. . . [Muslims will try to] move the country basically towards an Islamic
theocracy," Moeller explains. "And that is, of course, something that will
create more instability in the Middle East and not true democracy." While
many believers are fleeing Iraq, Moeller says others are choosing to stay
and minister to their countrymen. The upcoming elections set for January
will be pivotal in determining the future -- not only of Iraq as a nation,
but also of churches in that country, he says.

So far 110 Christians have been killed in Iraq. In other recent attacks,
four churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul were blown up in a coordinated
series of car bombings in August, killing 12 people and injuring 61 others.
In September another Baghdad church was bombed. There have also been mortar
attacks on community centers, shootings of Christian shopkeepers and
kidnappings of businessmen for extortion. The violence has prompted about
45,000 of Iraq's Christians to flee the country. (CNN/Religion Today/Agape
Press/WorldWide Religious News)

MUSLIM MILITANTS IN NIGERIA THREATEN TO KILL CHRISTIAN NURSES
Muslim militants have threatened to kill Christian nurses serving at the
Federal Medical Center in the town of Keffi, in central Nigeria's Nasarawa
state unless they stop conducting Christian worship services. An undated
letter received by the hospital's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian
Nurses (FCN) -- also delivered to hospital management -- stated, "We are
making it abundantly clear that our thirst for your heads/blood is mounting
daily if you continue with your worship services in the hospital unabated."
The letter carried no names and was simply endorsed by a group calling
itself "Islamic fundamentalists." The group said that it has a strong
presence in the hospital and would do everything possible to deal with all
Christian health workers there. The letter reportedly caused panic at the
hospital and prompted institutional authorities to ban all Christian worship
activities. The letter also contained a summons for the nurses to meet with
hospital management. These latest developments have underscored growing
tensions between Nigeria's Muslim hard-liners and Christians who refuse to
accept the Islamic penal code. Nigeria's central government has been
struggling to regain control in Muslim-dominated areas.
(Compass/BosNewsLife)

ROUNDTABLE NOTES IMPROVED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN EURO-ASIA
On Tuesday, Oct. 5, representatives of the U.S. State Department and
Congress co-hosted the annual Roundtable on Religious Freedom in Europe and
Eurasia. These roundtables bring together faith-based organizations, human
rights groups, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,
congressional staff, and government officials to review recent developments.
Participants highlighted partnerships involving government, non-governmental
organizations and multilateral organizations. Panelists discussed problems
in Uzbekistan related to religious expression and registration of religious
groups, and praised some recent improvements in Turkmenistan while noting
that the environment still is challenging for many groups. The situation in
both these countries in Central Asia is being "closely monitored." No
countries in Europe-Eurasia are now listed as "countries of particular
concern" in the department's International Religious Freedom Report, and
conditions in Western and Central Europe are generally better for religious
practice. However, restrictive registration rules in some countries still
keep some smaller groups from receiving the same benefits that mainstream
faiths enjoy. Most attendees agreed freedom of religion has improved in
Russia; however, recent Russian clampdowns on media and certain
non-governmental organizations have raised concerns that human rights and
freedoms in general are becoming increasingly restricted. (Religious Media
Agency)

LOCAL CHURCH PARTNERS MULTIPLY EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS IN EAST AFRICA
Team members of an evangelistic ministry called Evangecube are multiplying
their efforts by partnering with local churches in East Africa. "It's really
[an intentional effort] by going in and partnering with existing churches to
help equip them to evangelize their communities and establish new churches,"
Sheets says. "We were recently part of two pastors' training conferences --
one in Nairobi, Kenya, and one in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia." One man took a
team of 30 men from Nairobi into western Kenya to hold training sessions.
"They partnered with 15 churches around that community. Within a week more
than 6,940 people came to the Lord through one-on-one [witnessing]! These
weren't just people who came to the Lord and then fell off. In partnering
with those 15 churches, they were able to funnel these people into
discipleship [programs]." One of Evangecube's goals is to help East African
believers plant 50 new churches, Sheets says. (Mission Network News)

10-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN WEBSITE ATTRACTS 9 MILLIONS HITS EACH MONTH
ChristianityToday.com, the online website for Christianity Today
International (CTI) that recently marked its 10th anniversary, has become
one of the largest Christian sites on the Web with 43 channels, more than
50,000 pages and approximately 9 million page views each month. "Ten years
ago we had no idea how revolutionary the Internet would be nor how it would
impact CTI's ministry," says John LaRue, vice president of research and
development. "We now provide fresh daily content that touches millions of
Christians at nearly every point in their daily lives."
ChristianityToday.com is built on content from Christianity Today magazine
and each of its 10 sister publications, including Today's Christian Woman,
Marriage Partnership and Leadership Journal. Keith Stonehocker, executive
vice president of research and development, added, "The Internet has become
the largest source of new subscribers for our print magazines, providing
more than 100,000 new trial subscribers this year." Visitors can subscribe
to more than 25 free e-mail newsletters that provide news from each channel
and keep readers informed of what's happening throughout the website. The
newsletters service more than 800,000 subscribers with 2.5 million
newsletters sent out each month. (ChristianityToday.com)

INTERNET BOOSTS OUTREACH TO LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH
The Internet is widely acknowledged as the new missions front to be
explored. Through it, ministries are able to reach thousands who need
resources and tools that they otherwise could not access. OC International's
Tim and Annette Gulick are spearheading an Internet ministry in Mexico. "We
are, in short, providing resources and training materials for people that
work with youth in Latin America," Tim says. "This is all through the
website, as well as through CD's that we distribute, through friends and
through conferences." Annette adds that everything on the website is geared
to Spanish-speakers throughout the world. "Our big project right now is
providing an entire course that can be used by seminaries, Bible schools or
individuals." (Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-20 23:22:06 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 4:41 AM

UNIDENTIFIED KIDNAPPERS CAPTURE LEADER OF RELIEF GROUP IN IRAQ
TYPHOON NARROWLY MISSES TRANS WORLD RADIO'S STATION IN GUAM
MINISTRY ON TRACK TO COMPLETE 500,000 CATARACT SURGERIES IN 2004
RUSSIAN PASTOR SHARES HOPE, FAITH AMID GRIEF AFTER BESLAN MASSACRE
WEEK OF PRAYER, FASTING SET ASIDE FOR MYANMAR'S MINORITY GROUPS

Today's News Stories:

UNIDENTIFIED KIDNAPPERS CAPTURE LEADER OF RELIEF GROUP IN IRAQ
Concern is mounting for the life of CARE International official Margaret
Hassan who was kidnapped at gunpoint in Baghdad Tuesday, Oct. 19. Her Iraqi
husband, Tahseen Ali, made an emotional plea for her release on Al-Arabiya
satellite television. "I would like to tell the kidnappers that we are in
the holy month of Ramadan and my wife has been helping Iraq for 30 years and
loved this country," he said. Hassan, in her early 60s, heads CARE's
operations in Iraq, and the humanitarian organization has suspended
operations in the country. European Union Commissioner Poul Nielson said he
was "appalled" at her abduction. "She chose to dedicate her life to help the
Iraqi people," he said in a statement. "Her abduction comes as yet another
blow for the humanitarian community, and for all the vulnerable Iraqis
benefiting from aid programs." No reason was given for Hassan's abduction,
and it is believed that she is unharmed. The kidnapping came as a major
setback for CARE which has worked to reduce poverty without making political
gestures. Hassan, a naturalized Iraqi citizen, has worked for CARE in Iraq
since 1992. (BosNewsLife/The Press Association)

TYPHOON NARROWLY MISSES TRANS WORLD RADIO'S STATION IN GUAM
Typhoon Nock-ten narrowly missed Trans World Radio station KTWR in Guam,
reported missionary Chuck White earlier today. "It swung neatly around us,
just skirting us with the outermost wind, maybe 35 mph or so. Hardly even
rained! So we were all buttoned up, locked down, and it went away." White
said the ministry was better prepared for this storm after going through a
major typhoon two years ago that "tore KTWR's antenna curtains to shreds."
The station broadcasts the hope of the gospel across northeastern Asia.
(Trans World Radio/Mission Network News)

MINISTRY ON TRACK TO COMPLETE 500,000 CATARACT SURGERIES IN 2004
Christian Blind Mission International (CBMI) is well on its way to
fulfilling its goal of completing a cataract operation for every minute of
2004 with the support of affiliated surgeons overseas. Simple, inexpensive
methods to implant artificial lenses have restored the sight of nearly
500,000 people in the developing world so far this year, says Larae Harvey,
manager of marketing for CBMI USA. A number of organizations are uniting for
a "Vision 2020" global campaign that aims to eliminate preventable blindness
by the year 2020. This includes river blindness (onchocerciasis), one of the
main causes of blindness, especially in West Africa. In the last five years
almost 50 million patients with eye diseases and cataracts were examined and
treated in projects supported by CBM. (News Bytes/Christian Blind Mission
International)

RUSSIAN PASTOR SHARES HOPE, FAITH AMID GRIEF AFTER BESLAN MASSACRE
Residents of Beslan, Russia, are struggling to heal even as a grief blankets
the town. Forty-five days have passed since the terrible events when Chechen
terrorists stormed a middle school, killing more than 300 people, most of
them children. Slavic Gospel Association president Bob Provost says the
school massacre brought tragedy and, oddly, hope. "A church never before
heard of around the world, and a republic not known around the world, has
become the center for prayer and support. Millions of Christians are now
praying for revival in Beslan and for the Lord to raise up a movement to
take the gospel to all the people of North Ossetia." Provost says the
support of the body of Christ encourages those in the midst of the struggle.
"Several faithful Christian mothers and fathers who lost their own precious
children began to reach those without hope, who were mourning the loss of
their children. The Beslan church has become a great place of comfort and
encouragement for the grieving community," he said. (Mission Network News)

WEEK OF PRAYER, FASTING SET ASIDE FOR MYANMAR'S MINORITY GROUPS
Karen Christians, the Jubilee Campaign and the Karen Action Group have
designated Sunday-Saturday, Dec. 5-11, as a week of prayer and fasting for
the Karen, Karenni and Shan peoples of Myanmar (Burma). The ministry also
has called for weekly prayer and fasting for the three people groups until
there is a "radical improvement" in the situation and the atrocities against
them have stopped. The systematic atrocities by the Burmese military against
the Karen, Karenni and Shan include summary executions, rape, torture,
forced relocations, forced labor and the destruction of villages, crops and
livestock. These acts have created a "humanitarian catastrophe, including
widespread internal displacement and food shortages." An estimated 650,000
members of the three groups are refugees, hiding from the Burmese army in
the jungle with little or no food or medicine, and are usually killed on
sight. Jubilee Campaign and the Karen Action Group say the Burmese
military's systematic atrocities against the Karen, Karenni and Shan peoples
amount to "genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity" as defined
under international law. About 40 percent of the Karen people and the
majority of the Karenni are Christians. The Shan are predominantly Buddhist,
but the Shan church is growing steadily. "Words cannot sufficiently describe
the barbaric atrocities which the Burmese troops are inflicting on the
Karen, Karenni and Shan," says Wilfred Wong, Jubilee Campaign's researcher
and parliamentary officer. This includes burning children to death in their
houses, impaling young children on sharpened poles, gang raping of women and
girls, and crushing babies with rice pounders. (Jubilee Campaign)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-23 05:18:42 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 2:41 AM

VIETNAMESE BELIEVERS BRACE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW RELIGION LAW
LAOTIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST PASTOR OF LARGE HOUSE CHURCH
FLOOD DESTROYS CHURCH BUILDING, HOME FOR ELDERLY IN NIGERIA
NATIVE MISSIONARIES HELP REACH ISOLATED PERUVIAN TRIBE FOR CHRIST
CHRISTIAN BROADCASTS BRING NEW HOPE TO MUSLIMS DURING RAMADAN

Today's News Stories:

VIETNAMESE BELIEVERS BRACE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW RELIGION LAW
House church leaders in Vietnam are pleading with Christians worldwide to
pray. On Monday, Nov. 15, a new restrictive religion law takes effect that
will restrict worship services and permanently outlaw house churches. Dr.
Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, says: "We need to pray for church
leaders in Vietnam. The new law would have a negative impact on the lives of
thousands of Christians in Vietnam. Vietnam already is ranked No. 4 on Open
Doors' World Watch List of countries where persecution is the worst."
(Mission Network News)

LAOTIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST PASTOR OF LARGE HOUSE CHURCH
Authorities arrested a native pastor in southern Laos at about 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 19. Mr. Bouthao was taken into custody by Phin district police
for conducting a worship service for 300 believers in his house in
Saythamoung village, Phin district, Savannakhet province. Bouthao has been
holding church meetings in his home for almost two years. The arrest was
ordered by the head police of the Phin district office. (Christian Aid
Mission)

FLOOD DESTROYS CHURCH BUILDING, HOME FOR ELDERLY IN NIGERIA
Flash flooding in the southern Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom has severely
damaged a church building and associated home for the elderly, said the
leader of an indigenous ministry supported by Christian Aid Mission. Rains
in Akwa Ibom this season have been particularly heavy, causing flooding
throughout the state. Though he and fellow believers fought to keep waters
at bay around the church and home buildings, they were overwhelmed. Waters
inundated the church and parsonage, ruining much property and causing part
of the church building to collapse. Of special concern are the elderly
people living in the nearby home who are suffering due to lack of housing
and care after their building was flooded. The ministry is striving to
relocate them. Relief from heavy rains has not come as hoped in recent
weeks. (Christian Aid Mission)

NATIVE MISSIONARIES HELP REACH ISOLATED PERUVIAN TRIBE FOR CHRIST
Native gospel workers in Peru rejoice that they were recently able to send a
team of nine to two communities of the Aguaruna tribe. Through a series of
evangelistic meetings, some 101 souls were led to Christ. Missionaries
report that many of the tribal people they contacted had never before heard
the gospel of salvation. The Aguaruna tribe live in the northern jungles of
Peru, along the Ecuadorian border. This semi-nomadic people retain many of
their ancient traditions, such as worshiping ancestors, consulting shamans
(witchdoctors), marrying multiple wives and hunting with poisoned darts.
Many Aguarunas face extreme poverty as their forest homes have been slowly
destroyed by outsiders who are using the region for cattle ranching, mining
and logging. Frustration over this loss of land reached a breaking point in
January 2002, when a group of 200 Aguaranas attacked a settlement of farmers
who had intruded into their territory. They killed about 30 people with
machetes, shotguns and poisoned arrows. Native missionaries are working to
bring the love of Christ to this suffering people, relieving physical and
spiritual poverty. During their most recent trip, they conducted
evangelistic crusades at night and taught sessions on Christian family life
during the day. They plan to return to these tribal communities this month
to follow-up on those they have led to the Lord. Please pray with them as
they carry the gospel to these remote people. (Christian Aid Mission)

CHRISTIAN BROADCASTS BRING NEW HOPE TO MUSLIMS DURING RAMADAN
What would cause more than 1 billion people to abstain from eating, drinking
and other indulgences from dawn to dusk? The answer is the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan that started Friday, Oct. 15. Sammy Tippit Ministries is urging
Christians around the globe to pray for those who need the hope of Christ
and to be ready to serve those who are radically different. Tippit's heart
to reach Muslims for Christ has resulted in a variety of broadcasts based on
his preaching. One series of television programs translated into Farsi airs
across Iran on Tuesday evenings. Another series of bilingual English-Urdu TV
programs recorded in Pakistan airs across the Middle East via India's ETC
satellite network on Friday evenings. The Raj TV network also carries
broadcasts on Mondays. In addition, the ministry also airs radio programs to
Afghanistan each Monday and Tuesday. (Mission Network News/Sammy Tippit
Ministries)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-29 10:03:58 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 5:19 AM

AUTHORITIES RAID BAPTIST CHURCH IN UZBEKISTAN'S CAPITAL CITY
123 HOMEMADE BOMBS DISCOVERED IN MUSLIM CEMETERY IN INDONESIA
JUDGE SETS FINAL CUSTODY HEARING FOR CHRISTIAN JORDANIAN WIDOW
RUSSIAN CHURCHES SET DAY TO FAST, PRAY FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS
MERCY SHIPS INTERNATIONAL NAMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CONSERVATIVE BELIEVERS URGE EUROPEANS TO RETURN TO CHRISTIAN ROOTS

Today's News Stories:

AUTHORITIES RAID BAPTIST CHURCH IN UZBEKISTAN'S CAPITAL CITY
Police in Tashkent, the capital of the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan,
raided Bethany Baptist Church during worship on Sunday, Oct. 17, declaring
the service to be an "illegal religious meeting." Authorities demanded that
Pastor Nikolai Shevchenko promise to stop all the church's activities, but
he refused. After confiscating samples of literature found in the church
sanctuary and classrooms, the officers left, telling the pastor and eight
members that they would be called to answer in court. A member of the
Baptist Union, Shevchenko's church has been seeking official registration in
vain for the past eight years. Despite a three-year lull in police actions
against their activities, the church remains caught in an apparent standoff
between local city regulations and the government's restrictive registration
laws instituted in 1998. (Compass)

123 HOMEMADE BOMBS DISCOVERED IN MUSLIM CEMETERY IN INDONESIA
Visitors to a Muslim cemetery in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, have found a
cache of 123 homemade bombs, raising concerns that violent clashes between
Christians and Muslims could resume in the area. The devices, found in a
cemetery in Poso's Moengko village, contained sharpened metal and nails.
Local residents were making their traditional visit to the cemetery during
the Islamic holy month of Ramadan when they discovered the bombs while
cleaning up the area. The bombs may belong to an unidentified group that was
planning attacks throughout the region, said Poso Police Chief Abdi Dharma.
The police added that the weapons were not recently made and might belong to
a stock of weapons used during the violent clashes between Muslims and
Christians in 2000 and 2001. The fighting left more than 1,000 people dead.
(WorldWide Religious News/AsiaNews)

JUDGE SETS FINAL CUSTODY HEARING FOR CHRISTIAN JORDANIAN WIDOW
The ongoing case of Siham Qandah, a Christian Jordanian widow who is
fighting to retain custody of her two children, Rawan, 16, and Fadi, 15, may
be nearing an end. At a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 21, Siham testified that
she had not received any money from her brother, Abdullah al-Muhtadi,
contradicting his earlier testimony. Siham testified that her brother, who
is trying to gain full custody of her children, had not seen the children
for the past 10 years. She also accused him of fraudulently withdrawing
$17,000 from the children's trust fund, set up after the death of her
husband in 1994. The brother failed to appear at the hearing. The judge set
Tuesday, Nov. 9, for the final hearing in the case. Members of Jordan's
royal family, including King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, have actively
monitored the case, pledging that Qandah would not go to jail or lose her
children. But they have stopped short of direct interference in the judicial
process. The children are blacklisted by court order from leaving the
country. (Voice of the Martyrs/Compass)

RUSSIAN CHURCHES SET DAY TO FAST, PRAY FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS
Evangelical churches across Russia are calling believers everywhere to set
aside 24 hours of prayer and fasting for persecuted believers starting at 10
a.m. (EST) Saturday, Nov. 6. "Pray for God's protection from persecution by
evil individuals against the saints of God," states a press release.
"Throughout all of Russia (Moscow, Kursk, Lipetsk, Novgorod, Sosnogorsk,
Surgut, Volgograd, Siktivkar and other regions) attacks and beatings of
believers and ministers take place as well as vandalism and burnings of
Christian churches. Leaflets with a call to violence against Protestants are
being distributed, and the mass media is spreading slander, igniting
hostility among [churches]." The press release added that local authorities
have been "blind to these outrageous and scandalous incidents." Four
churches in Moscow initiated the prayer event with the backing of the
Evangelical Christians and Baptists (ECB) of Russia and the Moscow Union of
ECB Churches. (Evangelical Christians and Baptists of Russia)

MERCY SHIPS INTERNATIONAL NAMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mercy Ships International, a ministry that delivers healthcare services to
the poor through a growing fleet of hospital ships, has a new chief
executive officer. The ministry's board of directors elected Stephen Koinis
to the position effective Jan. 1, 2005. Koinis was also elected to be a
director and member of the board executive committee. Don Stephens,
founder/president of Mercy Ships, said, "We are extremely pleased that Steve
has accepted our offer to join us as a partner in the leadership of Mercy
Ships. His experience in leadership and management brings needed strength to
Mercy Ships as we seek to become the face of love in action, bringing hope
and healing to the poor." (Assist News Service)

CONSERVATIVE BELIEVERS URGE EUROPEANS TO RETURN TO CHRISTIAN ROOTS
Europe is cutting itself off from its Christian roots, resulting in a
continuing moral and spiritual decline, said 150 conservative Christians
from eight nations and many denominations who were meeting at the first
Ecumenical Confessing Convention in Freudenstadt, Germany, Oct. 13-15.
Attendees pointed to a lack of Christian charity, the breakup of families,
rising abortion rates, widespread tax fraud and an increase in homosexual
practices. The consultation was jointly organized by the evangelical
International Conference of Confessing Fellowships and the Roman Catholic
Gustav Siewert Academy. Participants also warned of a massive influx of
radical Islamic movements intent on establishing a dictatorial theocracy and
said only a return to Europe's spiritual roots, especially the Christian
faith, could prevent the continent from sliding back to barbaric times. The
conference also called for renewed efforts to re-evangelize the continent,
encouraging "true followers of Jesus" from all confessions and denominations
to unite in a new "confessing ecumenical movement." (IDEA)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-03 23:48:22 UTC
Permalink
IRAQ

03 November 2004

IRAQI CHRISTIANS FACE ESCALATING VIOLENCE: URGENT APPEAL FOR
PRAYER AND ACTION

The Christian community in northern Iraq is facing ever mounting
intimidation and violence. Since the beginning of the Muslim fasting
month of Ramadan (15th October) the situation has escalated, with the
apparent aim of forcing the Christians out of their homeland. Tens of
thousands are fleeing.

International media reported the first incident, when explosions
occurred at five churches in Baghdad just after 4.00 a.m. on Saturday
16th October (2nd Ramadan). But the other threats and attacks on
Christians go largely unreported. Photographs of three senior bishops
in Mosul are being circulated around, with the message that they are
agents of the USA, infidels, and action must be taken against them.
The church leaders serving the Christian community of Karakush, Mosul,
have received two letters from the Islamic militants. The first
ordered them to allow Christian women to marry Muslim men (which in
Muslim eyes means the women effectively convert to Islam). This, said
the letter, would enable the women to be “blessed” and “purified” by
their marriages.

The second letter to church leaders, received yesterday 2nd November,
announced the militantsÂ’ intention of killing one person in every
Christian family, as a punishment for the women not covering their
heads and not going to university. This follows up pressure and
threats from Islamic extremists against all women in Mosul, requiring
them to cover their head with the hijab (Islamic headscarf). A
Christian woman was killed around 26th October for having her head
uncovered. Two other Christian women who were seen bareheaded in a
market had nitric acid squirted in their faces. Specific threats about
the clothing of female students at Mosul University have so frightened
the Christians that an estimated 1,500 Christian women have stopped
attending their classes.

Islamic militants are knocking on the doors of Christian homes in
Mosul, demanding money. They argue that since the Christians do not
contribute weapons and do not fight, they must make a financial
donation instead. This follows exactly the model of classical Islam,
whereby Christians and Jews were excluded from fighting for the
Islamic state but instead required to pay a special tax – jizya – to
cover the costs of their protection.

Leaflets are being distributed with the message: “Christians go; leave
Iraq.” Word is being passed around in the mosques, telling Muslims not
to buy anything from the Christians. Not only are they infidels, it is
said, but also they will soon be leaving, so the Muslims will be able
to take their homes and property for free.

PRAYER ITEMS

* In this grave situation, the Christians in Iraq beg for the prayers
of their Christian brothers and sisters elsewhere. Ask the Lord to
protect them from those who would harm them, and to fill their hearts
with faith and hope.

* Please also write to your MP (or other local political
representative) asking them to raise the suffering of Christians in
Iraq as a matter of utmost urgency with the Foreign Secretary (or
equivalent in your country) and call for their immediate intervention
to protect Iraqi Christians. Please also write to the US embassy in
your country urging a similar course of action.

* Barnabas Fund will shortly be sending out a lobbying request through
its Rapid Lobbying Network with further information about writing to
MPs and others. Please contact Barnabas Fund if you would like to
receive this.

RELATED NEWS ITEMS

[a] - http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/Iraq/Iraq-20040802.htm

LINKS

[1] -
http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?http://subscribe.barnabasfund.org/s.cgi?which=68-11-3-2004-14-42&page=archives&area=sd&id=sp78904




BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE
Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service provides the media and our supporters
with urgent news briefs concerning suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available
for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund,
Web: www.barnabasfund.org
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-10 04:08:44 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 8:35 AM

INDONESIAN PASTOR RELEASED FROM PRISON ONE YEAR EARLY
BELIEVERS MOBILIZE AS KENYA'S FAMINE COULD AFFECT 2 MILLION PEOPLE
MENNONITE MISSIONARY IN TURKEY ASSAULTED, THREATENED WITH DEATH
THUGS ATTACK CHRISTIAN PRAYER HALL IN SOUTHERN INDIA
CHRISTIAN EGYPTIAN TEENAGERS FIGHT FORCED MUSLIM IDENTITIES
HOPE COMES TO SIERRA LEONE VILLAGE CALLED 'THERE IS NO GOD'

Today's News Stories:

INDONESIAN PASTOR RELEASED FROM PRISON ONE YEAR EARLY
Rev. Rinaldy Damanik, imprisoned on what many believe were false charges,
walked free today almost a year earlier than his original release date.
Damanik, a prominent figure in peace negotiations between warring Muslim and
Christian communities on the eastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi, was
convicted on charges of "illegal weapons possession" in June 2003 and
sentenced to three years in prison. With allowance made for time already
served in police custody, he was due for release in September 2005. Many
observers believed Damanik was innocent. Witnesses in court said they were
tortured by police and forced to give false evidence. Judge Somanada
admitted that "many irregularities" had occurred during the alleged
discovery of the weapons and during the trial, but he still delivered a
guilty verdict. "The release of Pastor Damanik is really an answer to the
prayers of thousands of Christians around the world," said Open Doors USA
President Carl Moeller. Idrus. R. al Habsy, a leading Muslim cleric, became
a staunch advocate for Damanik's release after hearing about his campaign
for peace. On Aug. 20 the elderly cleric wrote to the Minister of Justice
and Human Rights declaring Damanik to be a "man of good character" who
"should be allowed to go free." Al Habsy died of a serious illness just
three days later. However, his actions paved the way for Damanik's early
release. (Open Doors)

BELIEVERS MOBILIZE AS KENYA'S FAMINE COULD AFFECT 2 MILLION PEOPLE
In Kenya, a country where an extended dry season could put more than 2
million people at risk of starvation, is also having an impact on Christian
outreach. Ben Omollo, director of Compassion International in Kenya, says
the famine jeopardizes more than 10,000 children who are sponsored through
the ministry along with their families. "They face severe malnutrition,
suffering or even starvation if nothing is done to intervene now," Omollo
said, adding that sending help is an investment both in the present and the
future. "We show our love not only to the children that are
Compassion-assisted, but to the community as a whole. We focus on prayer and
dependency on God so that it is very clear that we are waiting on God and
that the love of Christ is felt through the support that comes from our
friends and the international community." (Mission Network News)

MENNONITE MISSIONARY IN TURKEY ASSAULTED, THREATENED WITH DEATH
A Mennonite missionary in Turkey was gagged and bound last week by three men
posing as "spiritual seekers" wanting to know more about questions of faith.
Bob Stauffer of Rosedale Mennonite Missions (RMM) received a call from
Wilbur and Shirley Miller on Tuesday, Nov. 2, saying Wilbur was in a meeting
with three young men (about 17 years old) who posed as seekers in spiritual
things through the ministry's website. He had met with them at least once
previously. "After the study they blindfolded Wilbur, gagged him and tied
him up," said Mim Musser, RMM's human resources director. "They pulled a gun
and knife and said they were going to 'finish him off.' They claimed to be
Muslims who were given orders from al-Qaeda. Wilbur believes he was tied up
for [as long as] two hours." The attackers then ransacked his office,
stealing a "substantial amount of cash" from the office. "The young men said
they have been watching Wilbur's house," Musser said. "They told him it was
a problem if he stayed in town . . . and he was not to return to his office.
They left the office with him, and at some point freed him." Police continue
to investigate the incident. (Assist News Service)

THUGS ATTACK CHRISTIAN PRAYER HALL IN SOUTHERN INDIA
Miscreants attacked a Christian prayer hall and disturbed proceedings in
Mangalore, a city in southern India, Monday, Nov. 1. Police said about 15
people threw stones and ransacked the prayer hall during the morning
meeting. Police have registered against a local person. In an unrelated
incident, three persons were injured when two groups of Christians clashed
at a church in Belthangady in the Dakshina Kannada district. (WorldWide
Religious News/PTI)

CHRISTIAN EGYPTIAN TEENAGERS FIGHT FORCED MUSLIM IDENTITIES
Two teenage Christian sisters in Egypt have gone to court to contest the
forced change of their official religious identity to Islam. Iman and Olfat
Malak Ayet, now 17 and 18 years of age, were reared as Christians by their
Coptic Orthodox mother. Their father left his Christian wife, baby daughter
and unborn child in 1986, converted to Islam and married a Muslim. He then
changed his daughters' official identities from Christian to Muslim several
years before his death in November 2002. In order to enter their final
school examinations and then apply for university acceptance, the Christian
sisters must first be issued their national identification cards. The formal
identity cards will declare them Muslims if the State Council verdict, due
at the end of November, isn't in their favor. "How can these children be
forced to become Muslims, when they have never practiced Islam in their
entire lives?" Coptic Christian lawyer Naguib Gabriel asked the court at the
third trial hearing on July 6. A final verdict on the two sisters' case,
which is being tried before the Administrative Court of the State Council in
Doqqi, was set for Tuesday, Nov. 16. But the hearing is expected to be
delayed for a week as it falls at the end of the holy Islamic month of
Ramadan. (Compass)

HOPE COMES TO SIERRA LEONE VILLAGE CALLED 'THERE IS NO GOD'
When native missionaries in Sierra Leone were searching out areas in need of
the gospel, they came across a rural village with a name that means, "there
is no God." Stricken by the hopelessness such a name implies, they
immediately made plans to take the message of Christ to this isolated
community. The village is in a northern province of Sierra Leone that has
become an Islamic stronghold. Those who are not Muslims practice occultism,
consulting juju gods and living in constant fear of evil spirits. This
particular village was known throughout its district for its terrible name.
Native missionaries visited the village to build relationships with the
chief and elders. God blessed them with favor, and chiefs gave the
missionaries permission to start gospel work. Missionaries are using a
holistic approach to evangelism, bringing physical aid to this
poverty-stricken community in the name of Christ, thus opening people's
hearts to His truth. The community has asked the missionaries to take over
the village school, which was suffering desperately from lack of leadership.
Now, a new generation will hear the gospel. Missionaries face many obstacles
in their work, but native gospel workers are determined to give this village
a new name by the power of Christ. (Christian Aid Mission)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-16 00:43:40 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 9:12 AM

VIETNAMESE COURT HANDS DOWN HARSH SENTENCES TO CHURCH WORKERS
CHURCHES ATTACKED AS RELIGIOUS TENSIONS MOUNT IN NETHERLANDS
DEATH PENALTY QUASHED FOR NIGERIAN WOMAN CHARGED WITH ADULTERY
CUBAN AUTHORITIES FREE LEADING DISSIDENT FROM ISOLATION CELL
CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS BRING HOPE TO SUDAN AFTER 21 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR
IBS TO DISTRIBUTE 100,000 NEW TESTAMENTS VIA DAILY NEWSPAPER

Today's News Stories:

VIETNAMESE COURT HANDS DOWN HARSH SENTENCES TO CHURCH WORKERS
The People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City handed out harsh sentences to six
Vietnamese Mennonite church workers in a four-hour trial that ended at noon
Friday, Nov. 12. Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and five colleagues were charged
with "resisting officers of the law while doing their duty" in connection
with a March 2 incident involving two undercover government operatives. The
court sentenced Quang, general secretary of the Vietnam Mennonite Church, to
three years in prison. Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach received a two-year
sentence while evangelists Nguyen Thanh Phuong and Nguyen Thanh Nhan, church
worker Le Thi Hong Lien and elder Nguyen Hieu Nghia received sentences
ranging from nine to 12 months. Quang and his associates confronted the
undercover officers on March 2 outside the gate of the Mennonite church
which houses the denomination's offices and serves as the Quang residence.
The Mennonites say the two agents had harassed and physically abused church
workers who visited the building. The undercover officers tried to flee on a
motorcycle but fell. Within 30 minutes, dozens of officers from district
police Special Unit 113 and other security forces were dispatched to the
scene. Armed with guns and cattle prods, they seized Nghia and took him to
the local police station. A Vietnamese lawyer who asked to remain anonymous
insisted that "on the basis of the legal issues and the realties of the
case, we affirm that Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and his fellow workers are not
criminals guilty of the charges brought against them." (Compass)

CHURCHES ATTACKED AS RELIGIOUS TENSIONS MOUNT IN NETHERLANDS
Arsonists attempted to burn down two churches in the Netherlands last week
in a continuing series of attacks following the murder of a controversial
Dutch filmmaker, police reported Thursday, Nov. 11. The attacks came after
filmmaker Theo Van Gogh was shot and stabbed to death by an Islamic
extremist on Nov. 2. Some 18 religiously linked sites have been attacked
since the murder. Unidentified persons threw Molotov cocktails at Protestant
churches in Rotterdam and Utrecht, causing only minor damage. Meanwhile, in
Eindhoven, the same city where a bomb exploded at a Muslim school on Monday,
Nov. 8, a school classroom was seriously damaged in an overnight fire,
police spokesman Pieter van Hoof told the Associated Press. Although the
school is predominantly Catholic, it is attended by students from various
religious backgrounds. Dutch authorities say the arsonists' attempts to burn
down the Protestant churches were in retaliation to recent attacks on Muslim
sites in what they fear are part of reprisals after Van Gogh's killing. He
was one of the most outspoken critics of fundamentalist Muslims, The New
Times reported. Van Gogh's last film, "Submission," criticized the treatment
of women under Islam. For many years, such criticism was considered taboo.
That began to change, however, after the 9/11 attacks when the Netherlands,
like many other countries, began to consider the dangers posed by radical
Muslims. (WorldWide Religious News/Christian Post)

DEATH PENALTY QUASHED FOR NIGERIAN WOMAN CHARGED WITH ADULTERY
An Islamic court in northern Nigeria Wednesday, Nov. 10, threw out a death
by stoning sentence against a pregnant 18-year-old woman who had been
condemned for adultery. Judge Mohammed Mustapha Umar of the Upper Sharia
Court in Dass, a rural town in Bauchi state, said a lower court was wrong to
have convicted Hajara Ibrahim. The judge said it was an error to sentence
Ibrahim both to death for adultery and 100 lashes of the cane -- the
punishment for premarital sex. The accused also was not given a chance to
defend herself, the judge said. "Based on these reasons, this court hereby
nullifies the lower court's judgment," Umar said. Ibrahim, now seven months'
pregnant, was convicted of adultery on Oct. 5 by an Islamic court in the
remote town of Lere. A man whom she said was responsible for the pregnancy
was freed for lack of evidence. Her lawyer, Abubakar Suleiman appealed,
saying Ibrahim was never married and, therefore, could not be guilty of
adultery. Ibrahim was one of two women sentenced to death by stoning by an
Islamic court in Bauchi state in recent months. The sentences were the first
of their kind in more than a year in the mainly Muslim north where 12 states
have introduced controversial Islamic sharia criminal codes since 1999. None
of the stoning sentences have been carried out. (WorldWide Religious
News/Associated Press)

CUBAN AUTHORITIES FREE LEADING DISSIDENT FROM ISOLATION CELL
Dr. Oscar E. Biscet, one of Cuba's leading Christian dissidents, has been
released from an isolation cell where he had been confined since July.
Biscet was taken from his cell on Thursday, Oct. 21, in Prison Kilo 8 in the
province of Pinar del Río after carrying out a 10-day hunger strike to
protest his "inhumane imprisonment," dissident sources reported. He now
shares a prison with an American citizen who reportedly has been charged
with human trafficking. Biscet, a pro-life medical doctor who is also
opposed to capital punishment and the communist regime, was sentenced to 25
years on April 7, 2003, as part of a massive crackdown on human rights
activists across the island. He was earlier sentenced to a three-year term
on charges of "disrespecting patriotic symbols" after hanging a Cuban flag
upside-down during a news conference. In a statement obtained by BosNewsLife
his wife, Elsa, said she was concerned about the health of her husband
"after so any days in an isolation cell without any exposure to sunlight."
She noticed during a visit to the prison on Oct. 30 that he had "lost weight
and was pale" but was "emotionally strong." (BosNewsLife)

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS BRING HOPE TO SUDAN AFTER 21 YEARS OF CIVIL WAR
While fighting continues in Darfur in western Sudan, people in the southern
part of the country are struggling to recover from a 21-year-old civil war.
The war left behind a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions, says Dale
Dieleman of Worldwide Christian Schools. After years of fighting, many
refugees fled to the mountains, abandoning their farms, resulting in a
scarcity of food and making it difficult for the region to start the
rebuilding process. During the fighting, schools were also forced to close,
disrupting education and routine for thousands of the children. In response
to the problem, Worldwide Christian Schools is working in partnership with
Sudan Christian Schools for Orphans. "We're really trying to establish
schools which will be, basically, the only schools in the region," he said.
Dieleman adds that the ultimate purpose of the ministry is to share the hope
of Christ. "I think that it's really planting the seeds of the gospel . . .
in terms of how do you live out the gospel. I think this is the vision,
trying to help the young people grasp and then go from there and be
empowered." (Mission Network News)

IBS TO DISTRIBUTE 100,000 NEW TESTAMENTS VIA DAILY NEWSPAPER
The International Bible Society is targeting its home city of Colorado
Springs, Colo., with its CityReachers project. On Sunday, Dec. 19, 100,000
New Testaments specially designed for Colorado Springs will be distributed
with the city's daily newspaper. "We know that the Word of God is relevant,
but we do the best we can do to make the Bible [attractive so] that people
will want to pick it up," said IBS spokesman Bob Jackson. "As they look at
this and see the title -- Our City God's Word -- and see the images on the
outside, we're convinced that many who wouldn't perhaps pick up a black
Bible with gold lettering will pick this up and perhaps read some of it."
More than 130 local churches and organizations have joined this effort. "We
believe that there are going to be some things happening here that perhaps
have never happened before," Jackson said. "At least some people will come
to know the Word of God, and hopefully some lives will be transformed."
(Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-18 23:17:05 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 7:34 AM

MAOIST REBELS IN NEPAL CONTINUE TO TARGET CHRISTIANS
TERRORIST ATTACK LEAVES IRAQI PASTOR PARALYZED FROM CHEST DOWN
ISLAM SPREADS IN SOUTH AFRICA, ESPECIALLY IN BLACK TOWNSHIPS
NEW CHRISTIAN WEBSITE EXPOSES KILLING OF CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
LACK OF FULL-TIME SURGEON JEOPARDIZES MISSION HOSPITAL IN TOGO
SURVEY: PROPORTION OF UNCHURCHED PEOPLE IN U.S. DOUBLES IN 10 YEARS

Today's News Stories:

MAOIST REBELS IN NEPAL CONTINUE TO TARGET CHRISTIANS
Fresh clashes between Maoist rebels and government troops in Nepal have left
dozens dead. The Maoists, who are fighting for a communist state, control 60
percent of the country. As the fighting continues, Gospel for Asia President
K.P. Yohannan is concerned for the safety of the ministry's team members.
One pastor was recently imprisoned and another who was kidnapped by Maoists
is still missing. "We have some sketchy information," Yohannan says. "We're
not sure what is happening with him. All we know is that he's still alive."
He adds that the Maoists appear to be targeting believers. "We need to
pray," Yohannan says. "This is a time when lots of people are coming to the
Lord in the countryside. At the same time, we are faced with this
opposition." (Mission Network News)

TERRORIST ATTACK LEAVES IRAQI PASTOR PARALYZED FROM CHEST DOWN
An Iraqi Christian leader who was shot three weeks ago by Muslim extremists
is in stable condition but has been paralyzed from the chest down. The
pastor was attacked in a town in northern Iraq on Friday, Oct. 22. The
attack came on a day that was supposed to be a special celebration of
thanksgiving for a new church building that he and his congregation had
recently acquired. They had been forced to leave their old building by a
landlord who had received threats from Islamic extremists if he continued to
allow Christian meetings on his property. As he was traveling to the
celebration, someone leaned out of the window and shot him at close range
with a pistol. One bullet went through his leg and two through his shoulder,
one of which damaged a nerve, causing him to lose all sensation from his
chest down. A native gospel worker who recently returned from a visit with
the injured pastor said, "It's really something to visit a person who is
even happy while not being able to move any part of his body below the
chest. . . . God knows what He's got in mind. We know that the pastor has
been in the hands of the Lord Jesus from the very beginning." (Christian Aid
Mission)

ISLAM SPREADS IN SOUTH AFRICA, ESPECIALLY IN BLACK TOWNSHIPS
Black South Africans, drawn to the Islam practiced by African immigrants,
are converting in growing numbers and slowly changing the face of religious
affiliation in the overwhelmingly Christian country. "The numbers have gone
up dramatically if you look at the census figures ... there is massive
growth especially in the (black) townships," said Dr. Shamil Jeppie, an
expert on Islamic history in Africa at the University of Cape Town.
Immigrants from Central and West Africa, escaping poverty at home for life
in the continent's economic powerhouse, have brought with them a new
"Africanized Islam." Just 650,000 South Africans (less than 2 percent of the
population) are) Muslim. Christianity -- practiced by 80 percent of the
country's 45 million people -- is still the predominant religion among
blacks. But an estimated 75,000 Africans are now Muslim compared to less
than 12,000 in 1991, reported the Human Sciences Research Council, a
government-funded institute. (WorldWide Religious News/Reuters)

NEW CHRISTIAN WEBSITE EXPOSES KILLING OF CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
An international website dedicated to documenting and exposing the killing
of children and young people was simultaneously launched Tuesday, Nov. 16,
in the British House of Commons by Alistair Burt and Lord Alton of
Liverpool, and in the U.S. by Senator Brownback and Congressmen Franks and
Pitts. Stopkillingchildren.com, which has been set up by Jubilee Campaign,
was an idea conceived by Alton during a visit to Brazil last February. In
Brazil four to five children are killed every day. More than 60 such cases
in Brazil have been documented in the past two months. One example is
8-year-old Samanta Isidoro Gonçalves who was killed on Sept. 24 by a stray
bullet in Río de Janeiro's Bonsucesso neighborhood. She was reportedly going
home from church and when a bullet pierced her head while she was crossing
the street. "When children are killed in the U.K. or U.S., it is front-page
news," Alton said. "In places like Brazil where violence against children is
commonplace, the lives of children who are killed are easily forgotten. Many
people assume that the dark days of the killing of children have been
consigned to the pages of history. By reporting the daily murder of innocent
children, the website will enable us to raise awareness of the scale of the
problem and leverage pressure on the governments to stop the killing."
(Jubilee Campaign)

LACK OF FULL-TIME SURGEON JEOPARDIZES MISSION HOSPITAL IN TOGO
Sharon Rahilly, nursing educator with Association of Baptists for World
Evangelism's hospital in Togo, says the need for a surgeon there has reached
a critical stage. "We have talked about everything from having to close the
hospital if we do not have a surgeon to curtailing activities -- perhaps
giving forced time off to the hospital employees. We have no career surgeon
for Togo on the horizon." Rahilly says the hospital is the third busiest in
the country. (Mission Network News)

SURVEY: PROPORTION OF UNCHURCHED PEOPLE IN U.S. DOUBLES IN 10 YEARS
The proportion of Americans who claim no religious affiliation has doubled
in the last decade and now stands at 16 percent of the population. This is
one of the findings of a new study on religious identity which noted that
only Catholics (24 percent) and Baptists (17 percent) outnumber the people
who don't identify themselves with organized religion, The Los Angeles Times
reported. Based on telephone interviews with more than 10,000 people, the
nationwide survey by the Institute for Jewish & Community Research in San
Francisco showed that about one in six answered "none" or "no religion" or
described themselves as secular, humanist, ethical-culturalist, agnostic or
atheist. Their ranks will continue to grow, and they'll soon outnumber
Baptists, said Gary Tobin, president of the institute and a co-author of the
study titled, "The Decline of Religious Identity in the United States."
Residents of the West lead the nation in the proportion of those who don't
identify with a religion -- 24 percent compared to 14 percent for the rest
of the country, except New England which had 21 percent. Men (20 percent)
are less likely to identify with a religious denomination than women (13
percent). The study also found that those reared without a religion are much
more likely than others to have children who have no religion. In
mixed-religion families, children reared in both parents' religions are more
likely not to choose any religion. (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-23 02:55:33 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 7:26 AM

WORLD VISION-AUSTRALIA HALTS AID OPERATIONS IN IRAQ INDEFINITELY
CHURCHES GROW IN IRAQ DESPITE CONTINUING DANGERS, VIOLENCE
TURKISH COUNCIL APPROVES LONG-AWAITED CHURCH ZONING STATUS
CHRISTIAN EGYPTIAN INMATE COMPLAINS OF ABUSE, LACK OF MEDICAL CARE
KOSOVO'S DRAFT RELIGION LAW CONCERNS CHRISTIAN GROUPS
GERMAN PROTESTANT CHURCHES URGE COUPLES TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN

Today's News Stories:

WORLD VISION-AUSTRALIA HALTS AID OPERATIONS IN IRAQ INDEFINITELY
As Iraqi nationals mourn the murder of Margaret Hassan, CARE International's
Iraq director, they're also concerned about how her death may affect the
plans of other aid agencies. Doctors Without Borders withdrew from Iraq last
week, and now World Vision-Australia has announced its immediate withdrawal
from the country. Staff members had already been stunned by the death of
World Vision's own head of operations in Iraq, Mohammed Hushiar, who was
killed on Sept. 29. The ministry has helped about 600,000 Iraqis by
improving schools, hospitals, clinics and water supplies. Staff members said
they will continue to assess the situation in the country, but it's unclear
when they will return to resume aid operations. (Mission Network News)

CHURCHES GROW IN IRAQ DESPITE CONTINUING DANGERS, VIOLENCE
While fighting in Iraq has forced thousands of Christians to flee the
country, most have stayed, and ministries such as CB International are
training pastors to strengthen local churches. "The reports we get from the
ground are quite positive about the growth of the church," says CB
International spokesman Hans Finzel. "I think you probably heard about just
the explosion of growth in the evangelical movement in Iraq because of the
new freedoms. Obviously it's dangerous, but by and large, most of the
country's quite peaceful. So in terms of Iraq, we see a real upswing in the
growth of the church." Finzel is excited about the national Christians whom
God has raised up in the Middle East, and asks prayer for strength and
courage for them. "Pray that our efforts to continue to assist the church --
especially its leaders -- will go forward, so even if we can't be there
because of conflict, the church will continue to grow as the leaders are
strengthened." (Mission Network News)

TURKISH COUNCIL APPROVES LONG-AWAITED CHURCH ZONING STATUS
A committee acting under the Turkish Ministry of Culture has approved legal
zoning of the Diyarbakir Evangelical Church, granting formal approval for
the first new Protestant church to be built in southeastern Turkey since the
founding of the Turkish republic. In an official document issued Sunday,
Oct. 10, by Mehriban Karaaslan, director of the Diyarbakir Committee for the
Preservation of Culture and Historical Sites, Pastor Ahmet Guvener was
informed that the location of his church building in the city's Lalebey
district had been ruled suitable. "Without question this is a direct answer
to the prayers of Christians from all over the world," Guvener said.
However, one church leader noted, "There's still no legal mechanism in
Turkey for establishing a new church. We are thankful to have permission
finally, by the good graces of the Turkish government and on the wings of
the drive to enter the European Union, but this hasn't really solved the
issue." (Religion Today/ Compass Direct)

CHRISTIAN EGYPTIAN INMATE COMPLAINS OF ABUSE, LACK OF MEDICAL CARE
An Egyptian Christian jailed without charges for 20 months has become
emotionally disturbed and lost vision in one eye from torture and lack of
medical treatment, his widowed mother said last week. Hany Samir Tawfik, 28,
has been jailed continuously since March 2003. He was first arrested at
Cairo International Airport on June 15, 2002, after being deported to Egypt
from Saudi Arabia. He was detained for 52 days and released. However, police
rearrested Tawfik seven months later because he refused their demands to spy
on an evangelical Christian pastor, said local sources. Despite direct
appeals by Tawfik's mother to Interior Minister Habib el-Adly, authorities
have refused to release him or make public his alleged "crimes." She added
that prison authorities took away his Bible and destroyed it in front of
him. "He said they told him he was a 'special' case, so they had been told
to give him extra suffering." (Compass)

KOSOVO'S DRAFT RELIGION LAW CONCERNS CHRISTIAN GROUPS
Some of Kosovo's religious minorities as well as the Kosovo office of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have expressed concern
about a draft religion law being discussed by Kosovo's government. They
state that many of its provisions -- such as an apparent ban on religious
activities by communities not registered with a new religious affairs
commission, the requirement for new religious communities to have 500
members to gain registration and the ban on foreign leaders -- violate
international human rights norms. "The draft law was drawn up by a group of
experts under the prime minister's office and presented to the government on
Nov. 17," government spokesperson Mimoza Kusari said from the province's
capital of Pristina. Kusari added that some ministers have proposed changes
and that the draft law is expected to be discussed in the government again
this week. (WorldWide Religious News/Forum 18 News Service)

GERMAN PROTESTANT CHURCHES URGE COUPLES TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN
Mainline Protestant Churches in Germany are encouraging couples to have
children. During its recent meeting in Magdeburg the general synod,
representing 26 million church members, made a public appeal for an
environment more conducive to children. Germany has one of the lowest birth
rates in the world with women of childbearing age giving birth to an average
of just 1.3 children. In this respect, Germany is lagging far behind other
industrial nations such as the U.S., Sweden and France with a rate of 1.9. A
birth rate of about 2.2 is needed to maintain a country's population at the
present rate. Germany is facing a severe demographic crisis as more and more
retired people will have to be supported by an ever-decreasing work force.
Churches face a similar decline. The synod said that Germany has become a
country with a child deficiency. Although many young couples want to have
children, they find it difficult to combine children with their professional
or academic career. The church parliament emphasized that children should
neither be a poverty risk nor a career risk. "Employers, including the
churches, should offer more flexible jobs, provide crèches and kindergartens
and create more part-time positions," the synod urged. Some of the 120
church delegates criticized that the declaration makes no mention of
abortion that results in the deaths of 260,000 unborn babies in Germany
every year. (IDEA)

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Rowland Croucher
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13700+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-01 23:23:07 UTC
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Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 6:58 AM

Today's Headlines:

2 KILLED AS MUSLIM MILITANTS ATTACK EVANGELISTS IN NIGERIA

THOUSANDS OF DUMP DWELLERS TO HEAR GOSPEL AT CHRISTMAS PARTIES

INDIA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS LAUNCH FAITH-BASED CAMPAIGN AGAINST AIDS

'GODLESS' YOUNG GENERATION WORRIES KENYA'S PROTESTANT CHURCHES

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN RUSSIA KEY TO FILLING GREAT COMMISSION

Today's News Stories:

2 KILLED AS MUSLIM MILITANTS ATTACK EVANGELISTS IN NIGERIA
Police have arrested 10 Muslim militants in Dutse, the capital of northern
Nigeria's Jigawa state, for perpetrating an attack on a team of Christian
evangelists on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The incident reportedly left two people
dead -- one of them a militant -- and 20 others injured. Police reported
that 10 heavily armed extremists attacked the New Life for All gospel team
and members of the public during an open-air preaching event. Other Muslims
reportedly joined in the fray, siding with the Christians against the
extremist group, until police arrived to restore order and arrest the
assailants. "This attack [is the] second in a year in which Christians are
being attacked without provocation," said Rev. Umaru Dutse of the Christian
Association of Nigeria. "The situation is becoming more difficult for us."
(Compass)

THOUSANDS OF DUMP DWELLERS TO HEAR GOSPEL AT CHRISTMAS PARTIES
More than 8,000 of the poorest residents in Quito, Ecuador will have the
opportunity to share a Christmas meal and hear the gospel message this
weekend through an outreach sponsored by the humanitarian organization
Extreme Response. Forty-five people from the U.S. will join 200 local
volunteers from mission organizations, churches and schools to share food,
entertainment, carnival games and a gift for residents of two city dumps in
Quito. Approximately 200 people from the dump La Bota (meaning "throwaway"
in Spanish), and 6,000 people living or working in another dump called
Zambiza will meet for the Christmas celebrations on Friday and Saturday,
Dec. 3-4. The annual outreach started nine years ago at Zambiza with about
300 people attending. Each year the number of attendees has increased
sharply as the economic situation in Ecuador continues to deteriorate. "This
year another dump has been added as another event to reach more people,"
said the organization's cofounder, HCJB World Radio missionary Jerry
Carnill. "This has become an annual event where people from the U.S. get to
really make a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor. . . .
considered throwaways in their own society. There's an incredible impact
when we bring them music, games, food and a gift." (Extreme Response)

INDIA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS LAUNCH FAITH-BASED CAMPAIGN AGAINST AIDS
Religious leaders in India have launched a campaign using faith-based
responses to fight the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus and the ignorance and
stigma attached to the disease. Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Buddhist
leaders said that in India's tradition-bound society, religious leaders
wield enormous influence in shaping people's attitudes and prejudices and in
helping them make conscious choices. A representative of the Church of North
India said, "In a society which is so ruled by morals, religious leaders can
play a big role in taking the message of AIDS prevention to the population."
His views were echoed by many of the leaders, who felt religious faith could
deliver a powerful message. The leader of a New Delhi mosque said, "Medicine
can cure a patient, but through religion we can cure society." India, with
more than 5 million cases of HIV/AIDS, is the country with the
second-highest number of cases of the disease in the world. South Africa has
the most cases. Medical workers fear ignorance and the stigma attached to
the disease could push India into the top slot within a few years.
(AgapePress/Associated Press)

'GODLESS' YOUNG GENERATION WORRIES KENYA'S PROTESTANT CHURCHES
Protestant churches are worried about the rise of a "godless generation"
(young people up to 24 years of age) who are Christians only in name only, a
survey shows. Attendance at Kenya's Protestant churches is plummeting as
Kenyans flock toward cults or return to traditional religions. The study,
carried out by evangelical church groups, warns that while Protestantism
nominally accounts for 65 percent of Kenyan Christians, only 7 percent of
the population attends a Protestant or evangelical church on a typical
Sunday. The study identified rural communities, long assumed to be the
bastion of Protestant worship, as those where the established church was
losing most ground. In contrast, Nairobi -- long regarded as a city of
sin -- was the center of religion and worship. Researchers also found that
more than 100 years after the first missionaries arrived in Kenya, at least
20 rural ethnic communities, mainly in Rift Valley, the coast and the
northeastern and eastern provinces, had never known Christianity. The survey
was commissioned by the Africa Centre for Missions-Finish the Task and
funded by Dawn Ministries. (WorldWide Religious News/East African Standard)

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN RUSSIA KEY TO FILLING GREAT COMMISSION
University students representing many of the unreached peoples in Russia are
attending school in Irkutsk, and they're the focus of outreach by Campus
Crusade for Christ, says Eric Coe, the ministry's director for Russia.
"There are more than 100,000 students in the city, including students from
Buddhist and Shamanist people groups," he said. "I think Russia represents
the most strategic opportunity for fulfillment of the Great Commission
that's out there today." If the ministry is able to reach these young people
for Christ, it could make a lasting impact, Coe said. "These students
represent the very best of their people group. These are students who are
from villages where they may be the only person who leaves that area to go
to university. These are the future leaders of their community." (Mission
Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
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Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
_______________________________________________
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(13900 articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/ November 2004)
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Rowland Croucher
2004-12-07 22:52:24 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 6:44 AM

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM A CONCERN AS UKRAINE PREPARES FOR NEW ELECTION

3,000 DISPLACED AS BURMESE ARMY ATTACKS 10 CHRISTIAN VILLAGES

DUTCH HOSPITAL REPORTS EUTHANIZING TERMINALLY ILL INFANTS

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN EASTERN INDIA STEP UP PRESSURE ON BELIEVERS

NIGERIAN POLITICIANS BLAME VIOLENCE ON 'RELIGIOUS EXCLUSIVISM'

4 RADIO STATIONS AWARDED TO CHRISTIAN GROUP IN ROMANIA

Today's News Stories:

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM A CONCERN AS UKRAINE PREPARES FOR NEW ELECTION Thousands
of Christians have taken to the streets of Ukraine, concerned about the
future of religious freedom after the country's Supreme Court invalidated
the recent presidential run-off election results. The court has ordered a
second run-off election for Sunday, Dec. 26, after mass demonstrations
protesting the victory claimed by pro-Moscow Prime Minister Viktor
Yanukovich against West-leaning Viktor Yushchenko in a campaign that
election observers said was rigged by the government. "A large part of
what's at stake here is the future of Christianity in this part of the
world," said HOPE International President Paul Marty who lives in Ukraine
"If the election goes toward the pro-Russian candidate, then a lot of the
policies of the country are going to follow. And, he's publicly stated that
the only church he would recognize would be the Russian Orthodox Church and
would not tolerate others." HOPE International runs children's Bible clubs
and provides micro-enterprise loans for small businesses. Marty says the
election crisis has made people more open to the gospel. "The clients that
take small loans from us are very open when we share our faith with them.
And the response in our children's Bible clubs, especially in the rural
areas, is phenomenal." (Mission Network News/The Washington Post)

3,000 DISPLACED AS BURMESE ARMY ATTACKS 10 CHRISTIAN VILLAGES Two Burmese
Army battalions attacked 10 villages in the mostly Christian northern Karen
state in Myanmar (Burma) Tuesday, Nov. 30, displacing about
3,000 people. The villages, each with 300 to 500 people, are along the Yaw
Law River Valley. The villagers fled and are hiding in the jungle where they
struggle for medical care, food, shelter and security. The attacks were part
of three clashes between the Burmese Army battalions and the Karen National
Liberation Army that took place Nov. 28-30. An estimated 1 million people
are living as internally displaced persons inside Myanmar. (Christian
Solidarity Worldwide)

DUTCH HOSPITAL REPORTS EUTHANIZING TERMINALLY ILL INFANTS A recent study
revealed that 8 percent of all infants who die in the Netherlands annually
were killed by Dutch doctors. A hospital in the Netherlands reportedly
released proposed guidelines for killing terminally ill newborns, then
announced it had already started carrying out what are being termed as
euthanasia or "mercy killings." In light of these revelations, a leading
pro-life advocate says Americans should worry that U.S. hospitals could soon
be doing what is already being done in Amsterdam -- killing newborn babies
for convenience. "We call it merciful and we call it euthanasia, and we call
it a lot of things," said Judie Brown of the American Life League. "But we
never call it murder. In fact, in the Netherlands, what doctors are doing is
intentionally killing innocent babies once they are born because they are
'defective.'" The last time this kind of infanticide was being carried out
was in Nazi Germany in the 1930s, she said. (AgapePress)

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN EASTERN INDIA STEP UP PRESSURE ON BELIEVERS A
"reconversion" campaign launched by extremist Hindus in eastern India's
Orissa state aimed at forcing tribal Christians to renounce their faith and
return to Hinduism has given rise to active opposition of the gospel. Some
district authorities have begun using the controversial Orissa Freedom of
Religion Act which prohibits the "use of force or inducement or fraudulent
means" to convert someone from one religion to another, to attempt to
inhibit Christian ministry. While Christians bear the brunt of the law's
enforcement, most Hindu groups, including those trying to coerce tribal
people to return to Hinduism, are free to do as they please in certain
districts. In the midst of their frustrations with the government, some
Christians are facing attacks by Hindu extremists. In one area, a church
building was recently ransacked and homes of Christian families destroyed.
Some believers face persecution from their own families and communities. In
one Orissa village, at least seven Christians who had converted from
Hinduism were forced from their homes. They were allowed to return to the
village after six months, yet they are still denied basic necessities such
as water from the well or employment. (Christian Aid Mission)

NIGERIAN POLITICIANS BLAME VIOLENCE ON 'RELIGIOUS EXCLUSIVISM' Christian
leaders from northern Nigeria attending a two-day peace conference in the
city of Kaduna blamed the politics of religious exclusiveness for the
incessant violence that has claimed more than 53,000 lives in the past four
years. "When governments resort to blatant favoritism and divisive
strategies . . . religion becomes a ready tool for murder and killings,"
said Archbishop Peter Jatau, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna. The
November conference drew together Muslim and Christian political leaders
from 19 states to explore ways of curtailing religious conflict in northern
Nigeria. "History will not forgive us if we walk out of this hall without
finding lasting solutions to these problems," Nigerian Vice President Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar told the delegates. Nevertheless, the conference ended with
no major policy statement or political thrust aimed at ending
Muslim-Christian religious clashes. (Compass)

4 RADIO STATIONS AWARDED TO CHRISTIAN GROUP IN ROMANIA Little Samaritan
Mission, which is already operating a number of radio stations in Romania,
was recently awarded four more. Little Samaritan's Florin Pindicblaj says
the stations were available at auction, and Christians in Romania are
excited about adding the new frequencies and being able to share the gospel
in more areas. "That was the last time these frequencies were available
because Romania will join the European Union completely by 2007," he said.
"God blessed us, and we received four super stations." Pindicblaj says these
outlets come to the area as an answer to prayer for local believers who had
prayed and fasted for two years, asking God to bring them Christian
programming. He said at least one of the new stations could go on the air as
early as January. (Mission Network News)

http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
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Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
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Shalom! Rowland Croucher
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(14000 articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
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Rowland Croucher
2004-12-09 23:08:22 UTC
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Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 5:04 AM

MILITANTS BOMB 2 CHURCHES IN MOSUL, WOUNDING 3 PEOPLE

THREATS MAY FORCE CHRISTIAN ORPHANAGE IN INDIA TO RELOCATE

CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT PROTEST KIDNAPPING, FORCED CONVERSION

WORLD VISION LAUNCHES MAJOR RELIEF EFFORTS IN DARFUR, SUDAN

SECOND STORM THIS YEAR DAMAGES ADVENTIST SCHOOL IN MICRONESIA

AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS BALK AT GIVING CHILDREN CHRISTIAN NAMES

Today's News Stories:

MILITANTS BOMB 2 CHURCHES IN MOSUL, WOUNDING 3 PEOPLE Militants bombed two
churches Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Dec. 7, wounding three people in a
coordinated attack apparently aimed at stirring trouble between religious
groups in this ethnically diverse northern city. Deputy provincial Gov.
Khasro Gouran said one blast struck a church about 2:30 p.m. in eastern
Mosul's Wihda neighborhood, wounding three people. An hour later, gunmen
stormed a church in western Mosul, ordering a handful of people outside
before bombing it, Gouran said. There were no casualties. Islamic militants
have regularly targeted different sectors of Iraq's multiethnic population,
including the minority Christians, in a bid to disrupt the U.S.-led
reconstruction of the war-scarred country. (WorldWide Religious
News/Associated Press)

THREATS MAY FORCE CHRISTIAN ORPHANAGE IN INDIA TO RELOCATE A Christian
orphanage in Baran in the northeastern Indian state of Rajasthan may have to
move because of threats from anti-Christians in the area, says Samuel Thomas
of Hope Givers International, a ministry that operates 88 orphanages across
India. The situation in Baran is so dangerous that Christian workers have
faced beatings or even death with some being burned alive. "The
anti-Christians were very furious that we would even start a work there
[knowing] that it is an anti-Christian environment," Thomas said. "But
knowing the history of Hope Givers, that has never stopped us in the past."
Despite police protection, tensions in the area recently forced Thomas to
temporarily move the children out of the orphanage. "The situation got
really bad because they started beating the policemen for protecting the
orphanage. Finally, the board made a decision that we needed to bring the
children away from there for the time being." But that doesn't mean ministry
has ended. When Thomas asked the pastor of a local church if he should
relocate, he replied. "For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain. I will
not leave this place, I will stay here." Thomas says the ministry has a
tremendous impact. "We take care of the children from the street, give them
God's love, encourage them in the Lord, and 97 percent of our children are
ending up in full-time ministry."(Mission Network News)

CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT PROTEST KIDNAPPING, FORCED CONVERSION Muslim extremists
have reportedly abducted the wife of a Coptic Christian in Egypt and forced
her to convert to Islam, prompting demonstrations by thousands of Christian
Copts in various parts of the nation. They are criticizing the government's
failure to protect them against anti-Christian crimes. Foreign journalists
have been barred from the protest areas, the U.S. Copt Association reported.
More than 3,000 Coptic demonstrators gathered Dec. 5-6 in Cairo, el-Minia,
el-Behara and Assiut provinces to protest what they say is the abduction and
forced conversion to Islam of Wafaa Constantine Messiha, the wife of a
Coptic priest based in Egypt. Demonstrators charged Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak of being indifferent to Coptic pleas for protection from Muslim-led
persecution, and called on the U.S. to immediately intervene. (WorldWide
Religious News/WorldNetDaily)

WORLD VISION LAUNCHES MAJOR RELIEF EFFORTS IN DARFUR, SUDAN World Vision has
started major relief efforts in the rebel-controlled areas of western
Sudan's Darfur province. Humanitarian aid was previously unable to reach the
internally displaced people living in squalid camps there because of
inaccessibility. In Darfur more than 1.8 million people have been displaced
by the country's war, and many are in urgent need of food and medical
attention. The small town of Khor Abeche, about 75 miles north of Nyala,
came to life as World Vision teams arrived to start food aid registration
and distribute non-food items such as plastic sheeting, buckets, blankets,
clothing and soap. People crowded around the World Vision team and cheered
as goods were unloaded from trucks. About 25,000 refugees live in Khor
Abeche which is controlled by the Sudan Liberation Army. World Vision is
distributing food to more than 150,000 people each month and running primary
healthcare and supplementary feeding clinics in four camps in Nyala. In
addition, World Vision water and sanitation teams are making plans to build
latrines in five camps north of Nyala. The organization is working in eight
sites in Sudan. Through a partnership with the World Food Program, World
Vision is targeting 250,000 people for food distributions in addition to
other humanitarian aid efforts. (World Vision)

SECOND STORM THIS YEAR DAMAGES ADVENTIST SCHOOL IN MICRONESIA For the second
time this year a storm has damaged the Seventh-day Adventist school in Yap,
Micronesia. Typhoon Nanmadal devastated the Philippines and left hundreds
dead, then weakened as it touched down on Micronesia as a tropical storm on
Tuesday, Nov. 30. The storm caused only minor damage to crops, homes and
buildings, and there were no fatalities, reported The Pacific Daily News.
"This typhoon was less severe than the one that devastated the island last
April," said Keith Rodman, education director for the Guam Micronesia
Mission of the Adventist Church. "This storm only tore off the roof of the
kindergarten to third grade building. However, this is a big loss for the
school which is already struggling." Last April Typhoon Sudal destroyed
three of the schools' seven buildings, causing about $500,000 in damage. The
storm also destroyed many of the homes of the island's 8,000 residents.
(Adventist News Network)

AZERBAIJANI OFFICIALS BALK AT GIVING CHILDREN CHRISTIAN NAMES
Eighteen-month-old Luka Eyvazov does not officially exist because
Azerbaijani authorities refuse to issue a birth certificate for any children
with Christian names. Speaking to Forum 18 News Service, a Christian working
in the legal field said, "You can call your child 'Communist' or 'Tractor.'
Why not a Christian name?" When the parents attempted to register their
son's birth, they were told to select an Azerbaijani name instead of naming
him Luka (Luke). Other Christians have faced similar problems registering
names from the Bible, often taking months and several appeals before the
birth certificate is issued. (Voice of the Martyrs)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
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Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000 articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-14 04:24:10 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:21 AM

AUTHORITIES ARREST PROMINENT HOUSE CHURCH LEADER IN CHINA

STORMS LEVEL HOMES, SCHOOL BUILT FOR RETURNING REFUGEES IN BURUNDI

NEW FAA REGULATIONS COULD GROUND 8 MISSIONARY AIRCRAFT

CHRISTIAN LEADERS HELP END EMERGENCY RULE IN NIGERIAN STATE

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS IN BANGLADESH PUT FAITH IN CHRIST

HUNDREDS OF CUBANS FIND SALVATION THROUGH HAVANA CRUSADE

Today's News Stories:

AUTHORITIES ARREST PROMINENT HOUSE CHURCH LEADER IN CHINA Authorities
arrested Pastor Zhang Rongliang, one of the most prominent Protestant house
church leaders in China, at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1. Zhang, 53, was
arrested in Xuzhai village in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Zhang's wife and
children were not at home when the arrest occurred; they were able to escape
and are now in hiding. The apartment was searched and all of Zhang's
Christian DVDs, materials and photos revealing relationships with foreigners
and foreign agencies were confiscated. Xuzhai village was reportedly
surrounded by police and every house was searched. It is believed that
Zhang's wife and children were targets of the search. Stuart Windsor,
national director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said church members are
"gravely concerned for Pastor Zhang, especially for his health," especially
since he suffers from "severe diabetes." Windsor added that in "previous
detentions the police have shown themselves ruthless in their torture of
him, and we fear for his welfare if he is subjected to similar treatment in
his current medical condition. We call upon the international community to
raise a strong cry for his protection and immediate release." Zhang leads
both the China for Christ Church with an estimated 10 million members and
the Fangcheng Church. He had previously spent 12 years in prison for his
faith during five separate detentions. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide/Voice
of the Martyrs)

STORMS LEVEL HOMES, SCHOOL BUILT FOR RETURNING REFUGEES IN BURUNDI An
indigenous ministry in the Central African country of Burundi suffered
significant losses last month when violent storms swept through one of the
communities. The storms destroyed structures that the ministry had built for
returning refugees, leaving 147 families homeless. The ministry had
constructed simple houses and a school in the village to replace buildings
that had been leveled during the country's decade-long civil war. Hundreds
of thousands who fled the country are now returning to their homeland, but
many who arrive find their villages to be shambles due to the fighting.
(Christian Aid Mission)

NEW FAA REGULATIONS COULD GROUND 8 MISSIONARY AIRCRAFT Dennis Fulton of
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) says a new regulation from the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) could ground eight of the ministry's
U.S.-registered aircraft. The FAA is requiring that all turbine-powered
aircraft be equipped with the high-tech navigation system called Terrain
Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) by March 2005. The system triggers a visual
and audible warning to a pilot when the terrain or some obstacle lies in the
flight path, even giving verbal instructions to avoid a collision. The
problem is that MAF lacks the funds to make the upgrades, costing about
$15,000 per plane. "If the funds don't come in by deadline, we just can't
install the TAWS equipment and we'll have to ground the airplanes," Fulton
said. "There are a lot of missions and church organizations that are really
going to suffer on this one, let alone the medical emergencies that are
taken are of. MAF's whole purpose is to multiply the effectiveness of the
church, and if these airplanes are grounded, we're not going to be able to
support the mission." (Mission Network News)

CHRISTIAN LEADERS HELP END EMERGENCY RULE IN NIGERIAN STATE Due in part to
pressure from Christian leaders, the Nigerian government agreed to end a
six-month state of emergency imposed on the central state of Plateau
following three years of religious conflict. With the termination of
emergency rule on Nov. 18, Joshua Dariye was reinstated as Plateau's
governor. During the state of emergency, government authorities worked to
disarm religious militants and convened a peace conference. Muslim-Christian
violence in the state since 2001 has claimed more than 53,000 lives, left
218,000 people homeless and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property.
Dariye reportedly has been in dialogue with Muslim and Christian leaders in
an effort to sustain the peace. He held his first official meeting with
representatives of both religious communities on Thursday, Dec. 2. (Compass)

* HCJB World Radio, together with partners In Touch Ministries, SIM and the
Evangelical Church of West Africa, began airing weekly half-hour programs to
Nigeria in the Igbo language in 2000. In 2003 weekly broadcasts were added
in two additional languages, Yoruba and Hausa. HCJB World Radio also has
helped plant radio ministries in six cities with more in the planning
stages.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS IN BANGLADESH PUT FAITH IN CHRIST In Bangladesh
tens of thousands of Muslims have become Christians in recent years through
a movement that emphasizes house churches and lay leadership. Jamats --
house churches with ex-Muslim members -- are springing up across the nation,
reports the Swiss missions agency Kingdom Ministries. The movement is the
fastest-growing Christian group in the country. Using a modern translation
of the Bible understood by the rural population, the movement's most
important characteristics are its house churches with 15 to
25 members per group; flat hierarchies; an emphasis on a lay movement with
few mobilizers; and putting evangelization and church leadership in the
hands of nationals. The new converts call themselves "followers of Jesus"
and keep their old names. (FridayFax)

HUNDREDS OF CUBANS FIND SALVATION THROUGH HAVANA CRUSADE An evangelistic
team from Eastern Baptist Churches joined with those in the western end of
Cuba for an intensive week of services Nov. 22-28 as part of the "There is
Life in Jesus" continental crusade throughout Latin America. Elmer
Lavastida, pastor of the Second Baptist Church "El Salvador" in Santiago de
Cuba, reported that hundreds of people made professions of faith in Havana
and in Pinar del Río provinces. A service of victory was held in the
refurbished sanctuary in Minas de Matahambre in Pinar del Río to celebrate
with all the new converts at the end of the crusade. "If this continues,"
Lavastida says, "soon our sanctuaries will not be able to accommodate the
growing churches." (Baptist World Alliance)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000+ articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-18 08:49:55 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 6:06 AM

Today's Headlines:

SAUDI RELIGIOUS POLICE IMPRISON CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY

HIV INFECTION RATES SOAR IN WAR-TORN REGION OF UGANDA

CHURCH-BASED CLINICS IN IRAQ EXPAND DESPITE CONTINUING UNREST

SURVEY CONFIRMS CZECHS' COOLNESS TOWARD ANY RELIGION

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS REMIND BELIEVERS TO PRAY FOR IMPRISONED PASTORS

35 NEW AGERS FIND CHRIST AT SPIRITUAL HEALING FAIR IN SWITZERLAND

Today's News Stories:

SAUDI RELIGIOUS POLICE IMPRISON CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY Saudi religious
police have arrested a 30-year-old citizen who converted from Islam to
Christianity. Emad Alaabadi, who has a wife and four children, is in prison
in Jeddah after his Nov. 29 arrest in the town of Hufus, reported
International Christian Concern (ICC), a Washington, D.C.-based human-rights
group. Alaabadi was driving his children home from school Monday, Nov. 29,
when he was intercepted by police. The police escorted him home to drop off
the children then took him to prison in Hufus before being transferred to
Jeddah. The Saudi man made contact Dec. 4 with his mother in Australia, who
said he sounded "very weak." ICC reported that if Alaabadi's case is like
others, he "probably has been tortured as the religious police attempt to
reconvert him to Islam." Saudis are forbidden by law from converting to
another religion. (WorldWide Religious News/WorldNetDaily)

HIV INFECTION RATES SOAR IN WAR-TORN REGION OF UGANDA Uganda is held as the
model country for reducing the HIV infection rate, but the 18-year civil war
in the northern part of the country threatens that success. A report from
World Vision report states that in parts of the north where the war is more
concentrated, HIV rates have increased to 11.9 percent, nearly double the
rest of the country. The war has displaced many families from their homes in
the northern region. Many women, especially those in the refugee camps, find
that they can only get food, soap or money in exchange for sex. Girls are
often abducted by the rebel army and given to commanders as "wives" and sex
slaves. Churches and relief groups such as World Vision are working to bring
relief to those affected by war and AIDS.
(Mission Network News)

CHURCH-BASED CLINICS IN IRAQ EXPAND DESPITE CONTINUING UNREST While
political unrest and violent attacks continue in Iraq, International Aid's
Sonny Enriquez says the ministry recently launched four church-based clinics
in the country. He recently contacted a partner in Baghdad who gave an
encouraging report. "The situation in the city has been very difficult, but
what was exciting was when I asked him, 'How's the clinic?' He said, 'The
clinic is still doing well.' In fact, they've expanded; they've added on
three doctors." Enriquez says the church-based clinics create an opportunity
for ministry, but the association with churches can carry risks. "People are
not going to the churches anymore [because they have become] a target of
terrorist attacks," he said. "Fortunately, for this particular partner,
their church is kind of in an inside alley, so you can't just go in through
the church, you have to go through a certain set of roadblocks, so that . .
. protects them." (Mission Network News)

SURVEY CONFIRMS CZECHS' COOLNESS TOWARD ANY RELIGION Katerina Zdarska is in
the minority in the Czech Republic -- she believes there is a God. A
recently released Wall Street Journal survey found that her nation is the
only one of 18 surveyed in Europe where more people identified themselves as
nonbelievers than believers. Only 32 percent of Czechs surveyed said they
believe in God, compared with an average of 70 percent in other European
countries. "We (Czechs) don't really have a strong relationship to
religion," said Zdarska, 32, a European Union official who specializes in
Eastern European affairs. Religious leaders and scholars say that a series
of twists and turns in religious and political history in the past five
centuries have combined to cast the church as a symbol of repression in the
minds of many Czechs. "From my research and experience, the Czechs are the
most atheistic people in Europe," says Daniel Di Domizio, professor of
theology at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wis. "In the Czech
Republic, what accounts for nonreligion is almost anti-religion." The survey
polled more than 16,000 Europeans in September and October. (WorldWide
Religious News/Wall Street Journal)

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS REMIND BELIEVERS TO PRAY FOR IMPRISONED PASTORS Christmas
lights are more than just decorations to WorldServe Ministries. They're a
reminder to pray for the plight of imprisoned pastors and their families in
China. WorldServe has launched its "Lights of Christmas" initiative, urging
believers everywhere to pray every time they notice the "Made in China" tag
that is often attached to strands of Christmas lights. The lights may have
been fabricated by persecuted prisoners, many of whom are Christian pastors,
as a way to boost the Chinese economy. The more than
1,000 imprisoned Christians in China can be subject to severe conditions and
brutal beatings. Rather than calling for a boycott of the Christmas lights,
WorldServe wants the lights to remind people to pray for underground
churches and support the families of inmates. "Prisoners say that their
biggest burden is not the torture of prison itself, but the concern they
have for their families," says Tom Henry, minister-at-large for WorldServe
Ministries. He said pastors in China are not given salaries, but typically
live with host families who provide food and shelter and open their homes to
serve as a church meeting places. If an underground church is discovered,
both the pastor and the head of the home are arrested. Their families are
forced to live on the street, and their work cards are taken away. (Religion
Today)

35 NEW AGERS FIND CHRIST AT SPIRITUAL HEALING FAIR IN SWITZERLAND About 35
New Agers found Jesus during a spiritual healing fair in Basel, Switzerland,
in late November 2004, reported Pastor Daniel Hari who helped man a booth at
the event. The PSI fair, also known as the World Congress for Spiritual
Healing, claims to be the world's largest event of its kind. Hari and Stefan
Driess of Manchester, U.K., rented a stand in the exhibition hall with the
title, "Christocentric Healing," at which they held demonstrations every
hour. Hari said that Jesus Christ can still heal today and invited the
visitors to experience this for themselves. "After a simple prayer, we saw a
whole series of healings," he said. "People felt a sudden warmth, symptoms
vanished and a large number were interested in learning more about Jesus,
including many who wanted to get to know Jesus." The stand became the most
visited section of the exhibition. (Friday Fax)

http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000+ articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-18 02:48:55 UTC
Permalink
ACNS 3868 | BURUNDI | 16 AUGUST 2004

Letter from the Bishop of Bujumbura on his recent attempted abduction by
the Force for National Liberation (FNL)

As reported in the ACNS Digest on 11 August, the Bishop of Bujumbura in
Burundi, the Rt Revd Pie Ntukamazina, was abducted along with other
Church officials and religious leaders while travelling in convoy
outside the country's capital city. The intervention of government
forces allowed the party to escape and eventually return to Bujumbura.
The ACNS Digest story can be found here:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/digest/index.cfm?months=8&article=
143&pos=#143

The following is a letter from Bishop Ntukamazina on his ordeal.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills...My help comes from the Lord" Ps. 121:
1,2.

Dear Partners and Friends in Christ,

On Sunday 8 August it was my 52nd birthday. Surprisingly enough, I
remembered it was my anniversary when I was hiding in the bush. This was
the day we (23 of us, including five women, one catholic priest, one
Catholic Deacon and a Muslim leader riding on a motorcycle) were stopped
by rebels called the Force for National Liberation (FNL). We were
returning, travelling in a four-vehicle convoy, from a confirmation
service in Muyama Parish, 50 miles from Bujumbura.

It was 4.30pm when we were approaching home at about seven miles from
Bujumbura City, and we saw in front of us five gunmen pointing their
guns towards our direction at a distance of 2O meters. We were then
forced into nearby countryside, were robbed of our possessions and held
captive. Having made a few telephone calls, the gunmen then set fire to
the vehicles, then engaged in a long gun battle with other armed men
coming from behind us. This counter-attack allowed us to flee and I hid
in the nearby bushy scrubland, where I stayed for the whole night alone.

You can imagine what I was doing and what I was thinking about
throughout that night. Yes, I was praying and I was gazing. Praying,
wondering if God would come to my rescue. Looking around, eyes wide-open
to see what was surrounding me, such as enemies, animals and of course
snakes.

That night everything turned into a movie as I focused my heart on what
is the meaning of life. In fact, that was even the title of my sermon
during our confirmation service. A text was taken from Luke 12: 13- 21;
Col. 3:3, "For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

During the two hours of shooting and fighting between the two groups of
gunmen, I was lying down wondering who would help me out. Who would save
my life? Then I remembered Psalm 23:4, "even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with
me..."

I looked into the sky, then remembered the words, which I could not know
where it was written in the Bible, "I lift up my eyes to the hills...My
help comes from the Lord." I did not bother to know where it was
mentioned in the Bible, but one thing I concluded was that only God and
people that God would use are the only power that could rescue my life.

Yes, God used His power to rescue my life and the lives of those who
were with me.

Yes, God used people like the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD)
to rescue my life, when at 4.30am, I climbed a big mango tree then
shouted to them introducing myself, who I was, and requested them to let
me come down and join them, not knowing who they were, because it was
still dark. I was invited to come down.

Thanks to God who saved us from danger. Thanks to you, friends and
partners for supporting us with your prayers and thank you indeed for
the phone calls and e-mail messages of encouragement addressed to us and
to our families.

Please, continue to pray for:

The Burundi Talks with the group of rebels that has not yet signed, that
peace will be completely restored.
The Church, that the Gospel of peace and justice will continue to be
preached until we see the fruits of Christian witness in our
communities.
The ongoing talks regarding negotiations on power sharing and elections,
which are to take place very soon, before 1 November, according to the
agreement between politicians when the second transitional period will
be finished.
The return of Burundi refugees and the resettlement of displaced people
in their land and properties.
The Demobilisation, Disarmament and Resettlement of the regular army and
rebels who have already signed the peace accord.
Sincerely yours in His love and service,

For E.E.B. Diocese of Bujumbura

The Rt Revd Pie Ntukamazina
Bishop of Bujumbura

Information on the Episcopal Church of Burundi can be found here:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=B2

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 7,500 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-08-21 01:36:32 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2004 7:50 AM

MAOIST INSURGENTS IN NEPAL KIDNAP CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY

THOUSANDS OF NIGERIANS STILL DISPLACED 3 MONTHS AFTER CLASHES

MINISTRY AIMS TO PLANT 100,000 CHURCHES IN NORTHERN INDIA BY 2011

INJURED TURKISH CHRISTIAN SHOWS SIGNS OF MAKING FULL RECOVERY

'OPERATION BLESSING' BRINGS RENEWED HOPE TO NEEDY ARGENTINEANS

1,600+ VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED IN MINISTRIES AT OLYMPIC GAMES

Today's News Stories:

MAOIST INSURGENTS IN NEPAL KIDNAP CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY Maoist insurgents in
Nepal abducted a missionary with Gospel for Asia (GFA) last week, mission
leaders learned on Thursday. Although details of the kidnapping are sketchy,
the life of the pastor, known as Besh, is believed to be in jeopardy. He is
well known in the community as a Christian pastor and evangelist, and
authorities in an area where he was ministering a year ago noticed his
activity and asked him to leave. Maoist rebels have abducted and killed more
than 200 teachers, students, village officials and other people in recent
years. The insurgency, which has claimed some 9,000 lives since 1996, has
hindered mission work in the country as missionaries face increasing risks
when they travel to share the gospel. Elsewhere in Nepal, authorities have
ordered two Christian workers -- pastor Basu and native missionary
Imansingh -- to vacate their area of ministry within a week. More than 200
pastors and 356 native missionaries serve with GFA in Nepal.
(Gospel for Asia)

THOUSANDS OF NIGERIANS REMAIN DISPLACED 3 MONTHS AFTER CLASHES Three months
after a spate of Muslim attacks on Christians in Kano, the largest city in
northern Nigeria, thousands of people are still displaced from their homes
and in need of shelter. "I want to go home," said Emmanuel James Okon, a
26-year-old Christian living in the Panshekara in an interview with the U.N.
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). Since Muslim rioters
attacked Kano's Christian minority May 11-12, killing at least 30 people,
Okon has been living with 2,000 other refugees on an open soccer field at an
abandoned police training school. Clutching a plastic bag of clothes, a
toothbrush and a loaf of bread given to him by a kindhearted passerby, Okon
was making his way to the main road in preparation for another hour-long
walk to the factories of Kano's industrial area in search for work. Since
his rented apartment was set ablaze by rioters, Okon has nowhere else to
live. Now he wants to leave Kano and the predominantly Muslim north of
Nigeria to go back to his home in Cross Rivers state in southeastern
Nigeria. Nearly 30,000 people fled their homes during the May riots in Kano.
These were provoked by a Christian massacre of Muslims in Yelwa, a small
town in Plateau state 200 miles to the south. (WorldWide Religious News/IRIN
News)

MINISTRY AIMS TO PLANT 100,000 CHURCHES IN NORTHERN INDIA BY 2011 World Help
is targeting the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh with an intensive
strategy to establish 100,000 churches with 10 million believers by 2011.
The ministry plans to send 500 church-planting teams throughout the state in
an effort to establish organized churches. World Help will use its proven
three-part strategy of training national church planters, supplying support
for church-planting teams, and providing an "organized church" with a
building. Northern India is one of the least-reached regions of the world
with fewer than one believer per 1,000 people. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
and Islam are the predominant religions in the region. (Mission Network
News)

INJURED TURKISH CHRISTIAN SHOWS SIGNS OF MAKING FULL RECOVERY For the first
time since he was beaten into a prolonged coma by ultra-nationalists opposed
to his conversion to Christianity, Yakup Cindilli, 31, has made personal
contact with his Christian acquaintances in Turkey. Without telling his
conservative Muslim family, Cindilli left his home in Orhangazi in late July
and made the three-hour bus trip to Istanbul where he met with some of his
Christian friends. They noted that Cindilli spoke rationally, but was not
always able to pronounce his words clearly. "He showed us that he did not
have full use of his right arm," said one of his friends. "But he was able
to walk normally and seemed to be in good spirits." Another friend said, "He
prayed that God would bring him back to full health. His faith appears to
remain intact, even after all that has happened." Cindilli was beaten at the
local office of the Nationalist Movement Party on Oct. 19, 2003. He later
pointed out in court the three men who attacked him for distributing New
Testaments and "doing missionary work." The three attackers were initially
jailed on charges of assault and battery and later released. All three
suspects categorically denied Cindilli's charges. (Religion Today/Compass)

'OPERATION BLESSING' BRINGS RENEWED HOPE TO NEEDY ARGENTINEANS Calling his
effort "Operation Blessing," Claudio Freidzon of the
15,000-member Iglesia Rey de Reyes (King of Kings Church) in Buenos Aires,
Argentina, has been taking teams of volunteers to remote areas throughout
Argentina to distribute supplies such as food, clothing and medicine, and to
host evangelistic meetings. Freidzon said he felt God calling him to "bless"
his country after an economic crisis rocked Argentina in late 2001, leaving
thousands without jobs and the peso losing 70 percent of its value. Freidzon
and his wife, Betty, launched Operation Blessing in the province of Tucumán
in April 2003 with more than 35,000 people in attendance. Thousands have
reported making decisions for Christ. Outreaches since then have made an
impact on Argentina's northern, central and southern regions. At the final
event of this year's tour, more than 9,000 people gave their lives to
Christ. (News Bytes/Charisma News Service)

1,600+ VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED IN MINISTRIES AT OLYMPIC GAMES More than 1,600
volunteers are working with churches and various ministries to reach out to
athletes, spectators and residents during the Olympic Games and the upcoming
Athens Paralympic Games Sept. 17-28. The Greek Bible Society is handing out
thousands of Scriptures in various languages, including modern Greek. The
Greece-based Hellenic Ministries has organized "Operation Gideon"
evangelistic teams on 80 Greek islands. And Athletes in Action has arranged
for 60 international staff chaplains to hold services and prayer for
contestants. The Jesus Film Project is handing out 30,000 copies of a
special edition of the story of Christ on video and DVD called "More Than
Gold." It is available in 40 different languages. Greek evangelical churches
are running a "Crown of Life" outreach under the overall umbrella of "FLAME
2004." Volunteers are also involved in water distribution, staffing a church
welcome center, literature distribution, cleanup and other activities. (News
Bytes/Christian Herald)

EDITOR'S NOTE: A story in Thursday's news update regarding a poll taken of
U.S. pastors was inadvertently picked up from a website. The survey was
taken about four years ago. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-05 11:12:18 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 8:10 AM

Today's Headlines:

BLAST DAMAGES RELIEF AGENCY'S OFFICE IN AFGHANISTAN, INJURES WORKER
MINISTRY SENDS PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AID TO STORM VICTIMS IN JAMAICA
TRIAL EXPECTED SOON FOR CHRISTIAN ACTIVIST IN VIETNAM
CAMBODIAN AUTHORITIES SELL MONTAGNARD REFUGEES FOR BOUNTIES

Today's News Stories:

BLAST DAMAGES RELIEF AGENCY'S OFFICE IN AFGHANISTAN, INJURES WORKER
An explosion that killed as many as seven people and destroyed a building in
Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 29, also damaged the nearby Adventist
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office and inflicted minor injuries on
a staff member. "The windows and doors of two ADRA buildings have been
damaged by the blast," said Dr. Peter Jaggi, ADRA's country director for
Afghanistan. "Debris from the car bomb is in our yard and our office and
apartment are full of glass splinters." ADRA is primarily involved in
humanitarian concerns such as water projects, hygiene, basic health
initiatives and education. The Kabul attack came just hours after an
explosion at a school in southern Afghanistan killed at least 10 people,
nine of them children, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported.
(Assist News Service/BosNewsLife)

MINISTRY SENDS PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL AID TO STORM VICTIMS IN JAMAICA
While Jamaica avoided the brunt of Hurricane Charley, residents in the
island nation are feeling the aftermath as keenly as survivors in Florida.
For many Jamaicans affected by the storm in St. Elizabeth, poverty means the
loss of a roof or house is nearly irreparable, says Angel Aloma of Food for
the Poor. "We have sent down 1,200 sheets of zinc and 300 two-by-fours to
the area to help with the repairs of roofs. We have been rebuilding homes
for 30 families who lost their houses completely." Aloma says the outreach
in opens up evangelistic opportunities. "Action is always a great
introduction for faith, and because we work almost exclusively through
churches, whatever help we send down to those areas comes through the
churches of the area, so it actually becomes an outreach of the area
churches." Many farmers lost their crops in the floods, creating a potential
food shortage -- another area where the ministry can help. (Mission Network
News)

TRIAL EXPECTED SOON FOR CHRISTIAN ACTIVIST IN VIETNAM
Reliable sources in Vietnam say that authorities are working to put activist
pastor Nguyen Hong Quang on trial "as soon as possible." A court decision to
prosecute is expected by early next month. Based on previous human rights
cases, Christians are concerned that Vietnamese authorities will upgrade the
charge on Quang to "possessing and distributing materials harmful to the
state," a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Quang
was arrested on June 8 and originally charged with "inciting others to
interfere with officers doing their official duty." Quang compiled evidence
on numerous human rights infractions by state officials. Five other workers
from the Vietnam Mennonite Church, of which Quang is the general secretary,
are also incarcerated on related charges, some having been held since March
2. At the time of Quang's arrest, authorities seized all of the documents
and files belonging to the Mennonite Church. They also removed many files
that Quang and his colleagues had compiled that expose official corruption,
religious liberty violations and other human rights abuses. (Christian
Solidarity Worldwide)

CAMBODIAN AUTHORITIES SELL MONTAGNARD REFUGEES FOR BOUNTIES
Vietnamese authorities, with the help of Cambodian officials, are hunting
down Montagnard refugees in an effort to prevent word of human rights abuses
from reaching the outside world. Ksor Krok, half brother of Kok Ksor,
president of the Montagnard Foundation, was arrested by Cambodian police in
the area of Ban Lung in Rattanakiri province, northern Cambodia and sold to
Vietnam on July 20. He was then taken to the prison facility in Pleiku,
Vietnam, where he was tortured. A Cambodian source who asked to remain
anonymous advised the Montagnard Foundation that Vietnamese authorities
offered him a reward of US$500 to return Ksor Ni, another brother of Kok
Ksor, to Vietnamese authorities. Ksor Ni, speaking via videotape, said that
his mother was beaten and shocked with stun guns by police for participating
in this year's Easter prayer vigil when tens of thousands of Christian
Montagnards conducted peaceful demonstrations inside Vietnam. They were
calling for an end to years of persecution by the communist government.
Vietnamese government security forces brutally attacked the demonstrators,
and Human Rights Watch reported that "hundreds of demonstrators were wounded
and many were killed." (Assist News Service)


Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-20 21:46:18 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 6:38 AM

Today's Headlines:

GUNMEN KILL POPULAR CHRISTIAN RADIO PERSONALITY IN HAITI
RELEASE OF 3 NATIVE CHRISTIANS IN INDIA CALLED 'MIRACLE'
MAYOR OF INDONESIAN CITY ORDERS CLOSURE OF 12 HOUSE CHURCHES
SERBIA'S ANTI-DARWIN EDUCATION MINISTER RESIGNS AFTER PROTESTS
ISLAM BECOMES FASTEST-GROWING MINORITY RELIGION IN INDIA
SERIES OF STORMS IN CARIBBEAN, U.S. PUT CRUNCH ON AID MINISTRIES

Today's News Stories:

GUNMEN KILL POPULAR CHRISTIAN RADIO PERSONALITY IN HAITI
Police in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, are continuing their investigations into
the shooting death of popular radio personality Rev. Jean Moles Moleste
Lovinsky Berthomieux, better known to listeners as "Pastor Moles," who was
killed while leaving his home for work the morning of Monday, Sept. 13. His
wife, Verna, who is three months' pregnant, climbed to the roof of her house
to evade the gunmen. Reports indicate that the gunmen shot the Baptist
minister three times in the head and back, but authorities say there is no
indication that the shooting was politically motivated. Berthomieux hosted a
daily religious program, "La Manne du Matin" (Morning Manna) at the
independent station Radio Caraibes. His program was described as the most
popular radio program in the country. Berthomieux, who was in his mid-40s,
worked at the station for 20 years. (Caribbean Media Corporation/Reuters)

RELEASE OF 3 NATIVE CHRISTIANS IN INDIA CALLED 'MIRACLE'
Three native missionaries with Gospel for Asia (GFA) who were captured and
threatened with death in India's northeastern state of Bihar were released
by anti-Christian militants "in a miraculous turn of events," reported GFA
Friday, Sept. 10. The hostage takers had threatened to kill Pastor
Manrathan, his wife and a woman named Sarita within 48 hours for
"desecrating a village with the gospel" unless a ransom of 25,000 Indian
rupees (US$540) was paid. They were "severely beaten and tied to a sacred
tree by an anti-Christian group," said GFA President K.P. Yohannan in a
message to his organization's supporters. Yohannan said the believers'
release "answered the prayers of thousands of believers worldwide." (Assist
News Service)

MAYOR OF INDONESIAN CITY ORDERS CLOSURE OF 12 HOUSE CHURCHES
The mayor of Bandung City in West Java, Indonesia, issued a letter Friday,
Sept. 10, officially closing 12 house churches in the city. These include
Pasundan Christian Church, Protestant Batak Church, Pentecost Church,
Catholic Church, Indonesia Christian Church, Indonesia Gospel Camp Church,
Indonesia Independent Baptist Church, Oikumene Christian Church, Tabernacle
Pentecost Church, Indonesia Pentecost Church, Java Christian Church and
Protestant Karo Batak Church. Local sources report that the congregations
are "concerned and nervous" about not being allowed to continue holding
services. (Voice of the Martyrs)

SERBIA'S ANTI-DARWIN EDUCATION MINISTER RESIGNS AFTER PROTESTS
Serbia was without an education minister Sunday, Sept. 19, after Ljiljana
Colic resigned amid ongoing protests against her decision to ban the
teaching of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in Serbian schools. She had
also proposed a 20-year plan to reform of the education system, and she
replaced compulsory English language classes in primary schools with
compulsory religious education, the Belgrade-based independent B92 radio
network reported. Colic had said that schools could only resume teaching
evolution if they shared equal time with creationism. "Darwinism is a theory
as dogmatic as the one which says God created the first man," said Colic in
a recent interview. Her comments provoked outrage among teachers and parents
who suggested that her policies were an attempt by the Serbian Orthodox
Church to increase its influence after years of communism when authorities
discouraged religion. Religion was only introduced to Serbia after Slobodan
Milosevic was toppled in 2000. The government was expected to reintroduce
evolution in schools. "I have come here to confirm that [Darwinism] is still
alive," Deputy Education Minister Milan Brdar told reporters. (BosNewsLife)

ISLAM BECOMES FASTEST-GROWING MINORITY RELIGION IN INDIA
While Hinduism is the predominant religion in India, Islam is the country's
fastest-growing minority religion, says David DeGroot of Mission India, a
ministry based in Grand Rapids, Mich. He points to the high birthrate among
Muslim families. However, this segment of society is also the most open to
the gospel, especially the women among whom literacy rates are low and abuse
is high, and they are looking for help, DeGroot says. "We've seen Muslims
filtering into our programs in a number of states [of India]. This is a
tremendous statement of many things, including their acceptance of
Christianity and their rejection of the old Islamic values that have kept
them down for centuries." DeGroot is excited about this opportunity. "I
would call this a new development in the last few years. Reaching Muslims
years ago was an extremely rare thing. Now in India they're appearing in our
programs all across the board -- church planting, Bible content in adult
literacy and a large number of Muslim children in children's Bible clubs."
(Mission Network News)

SERIES OF STORMS IN CARIBBEAN, U.S. PUT CRUNCH ON AID MINISTRIES
First it was Tropical Storm Bonnie. Then it was hurricanes Charley, Frances,
Ivan and Jeanne that ravaged the Caribbean and the southern U.S. In Grenada,
Hurricane Ivan left 60,000 people homeless, representing two-thirds of the
country's population. In Cuba alone, damage from hurricanes Charley and Ivan
was estimated at $1 billion. Similar figures can only be expected from other
countries as their infrastructures and buildings were destroyed or left
compromised from relentless winds, rains, and flooding from the back-to-back
hurricanes. Charley ripped through Cuba in mid-August, followed by Frances
which arrived in the Bahamas the first weekend of September. Ivan, the worst
hurricane to hit the Caribbean in more than a decade, made its way through
Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. More
recently, the sixth hurricane of the season, Jeanne, crossed the Dominican
Republic.

Salvation Army spokesman Maj. George Hood says the unprecedented series of
storms in the southeastern U.S. has stretched the denomination's resources
and staff to near breakpoint. "We do not, historically, stockpile funds for
these kinds of disasters. We just go out in faith and respond with ministry
and service. Our expectation is that we are spending an excess of $40
million in response to these various disasters." The Salvation Army is part
of the Christian Emergency Network which helps meet people's physical and
spiritual needs after a disaster. "It's very important that the body of
Christ pray for these people," Hood says. "Pray that resources will be made
available for us to respond in the way that we believe we need to respond."

Grace Ministries in Puerto Rice reported that its radio staff in Puerto Rico
ministered when Tropical Storm Jeanne passed through. Without electricity,
people were glued to their battery-operated radios. WCGB stayed on the air
by using its standby generator, giving information and comfort to thousands
on the nation's south coast. Many callers thanked the station for supplying
important information with the assurance of God being in control. Wind and
rain buffeted the mission property, but damage was minimal.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is airlifting nearly
150,000 pounds of emergency supplies to Kingston, Jamaica, for distribution
to those affected by Ivan. Included are plastic sheeting, soap, powdered
milk, baby cereal, tarpaulins and rope. Up to 15,680 hygiene kits will also
be sent, depending on space availability. The airlift, departing from Miami,
also contains 3,000 food boxes. To avoid duplication of services or
materials provided, ADRA is coordinating its relief with other
non-governmental organizations as well as local and government authorities
to provide only specifically requested items.

Robin Mahfood, president and chief executive officer of Food for the Poor,
reported that Ivan destroyed many lives and property in Jamaica. "Houses are
flattened. Families in Portland Cottage helplessly watched their children
swept away by raging floodwaters," he said in an e-mail to ministry
supporters. "We need to raise $3.5 million to help hurricane victims in the
Caribbean who lost loved ones and homes."

Ivan also caused "extensive damage" to approximately 10 Baptist churches in
Jamaica, and hundreds of Baptists have sustained serious losses and damages.
Karl Johnson, general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU), said the
storm has knocked out its electricity and water supply, and the vast
majority of Jamaicans need survival items. Already Jamaica Baptists have
provided shelter and food for a number of the victims. "This is just the tip
of the iceberg," Johnson said. "It seems clear that we are going to need
resources to assist several of our members and communities to get back some
semblance of normality and we would welcome whatever assistance could be
provided." JBU is playing a "leading role in the national efforts to rebuild
the country," Johnson said. Some of the greatest needs include "drinking
water, tarpaulins, mattresses, and such things to make life more livable
until people can go back to their homes." (Mission Network News/Adventist
Press Service/Assist News Service/Baptist World Alliance Information
Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
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Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-22 23:07:03 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 6:24 AM

Today's Headlines:

TRAGEDY AGAIN STRIKES HAITI AS FLOODING KILLS MORE THAN 700
THIEVES SUSPECTED IN MURDER OF KOREAN MISSIONARY IN KAZAKHSTAN
SAUDI ARABIA, VIETNAM, ERITREA CITED FOR VIOLATING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
BELARUS COURTS SEIZE PROPERTY OF 2 BAPTISTS FOR EASTER HOSPITAL VISIT
WORLD VISION TO SEND FOOD AID TO DROUGHT-RAVAGED KENYA

Today's News Stories:

TRAGEDY AGAIN STRIKES HAITI AS FLOODING KILLS MORE THAN 700
Tragedy has again hit Haiti, this time as Tropical Storm Jeanne flooded
major portions of the country, leaving more than 700 dead and another 1,050
missing. The storm swept north of Haiti during the weekend, drenching the
impoverished Caribbean nation of 8 million, inundating cities and sending
deadly mudslides through towns and villages. Most of the dead were in the
swamped coastal city of Gonaives, and the toll is expected to rise as relief
workers reach areas isolated by the floods. Flooding last May killed 2,000
while a rebel uprising in February led to violence and political
uncertainty. Joel St. Amour, Christian World Outreach's Haiti director,
describes the situation. "Gonaives has been almost completely covered with
water. There are no roads, many houses have been destroyed, and many lives
have been lost. They don't have water to drink. They don't have clothes to
put on because they have been carried away. They don't have food. And we can
expect some contamination [from dead bodies]." Christian World Outreach is
raising money to help provide food, water and other aid, St. Amour says. "We
have Christian churches in all of those areas to distribute the food and
channel the funds and the help that will be coming." (Mission Network
News/Reuters)

THIEVES SUSPECTED IN MURDER OF KOREAN MISSIONARY IN KAZAKHSTAN
A South Korean missionary was found dead on Monday, Sept. 13, in Kazakhstan,
the Yonhap news agency reported. Kim Jin-hee, 34, who worked as a missionary
in Karaganda in central Kazakhstan, was struck with a blunt instrument.
There are two murder suspects. It is the first time that a Korean national
has been killed in the central Asian country since South Korea established
diplomatic ties in January 1992. Karaganda police immediately began an
investigation into the case in which the two suspects reportedly stole
$1,000 in cash, a VCR, a camera and other items from her house. The police
believe the murder occurred during an attempt to steal Jin-hee's belongings
rather than as the result of any personal grudge, said officials at South
Korean Embassy in Kazakhstan. They denied speculation that the murder may be
related to terrorism aimed at Koreans. The Korean couple went to Kazakhstan
in 1997 to serve as missionaries. (WorldWide Religious News/Korea Times)

SAUDI ARABIA, VIETNAM, ERITREA CITED FOR VIOLATING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Eritrea were classified as "countries of
particular concern" for the first time in the U.S. annual report on
international religious freedom. The 2004 report, released by the State
Department, maintained China, Myanmar, Iran, North Korea and Sudan in the
category among alleged violators of religious freedom. Iraq, which was
included in the category together with the five countries in 2003, was
removed from the list this year in keeping with the department's precedent
not to report on "our own governance." The reporting period ended on June
30, 2004, which roughly coincided with the date of the transfer of power
from the Coalition Provision Authority to the Iraqi interim government. The
department said freedom of religion did not exist in Saudi Arabia and is not
protected under the country's laws. Islam is the official religion in Saudi
Arabia, and all citizens must be Muslims. The report also kept Myanmar,
China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam on the list of "totalitarian
regimes," restricting religious freedom in their societies. (WorldWide
Religious News/AFP)

BELARUS COURTS SEIZE PROPERTY OF 2 BAPTISTS FOR EASTER HOSPITAL VISIT
Local courts in Belarus have ruled to confiscate the personal property of
two Baptists and to dock the pay of another after the three sang hymns and
distributed New Testaments during an Easter visit to a hospital in the
southeastern town of Mozyr April 17. Regional religious affairs official
Vladimir Klevtsov maintained on Sept. 1 that the three had violated the
country's religion law. Police were ordered to confiscate a car from Vasili
Bilas, and an accountant at the workplace of Leonid Martynovich was ordered
to dock his pay by one fifth every month. Court bailiffs threatened to
remove valuables from the home of Nikolai Krynts. These measures follow the
trio's refusal to pay fines of 20 times the minimum wage for staging
"religious, sports, mass cultural or other spectator events." (Forum 18 News
Service)

WORLD VISION TO SEND FOOD AID TO DROUGHT-RAVAGED KENYA
Severe drought and widespread crop failure have resulted in food shortages
for 3.3 million people in Kenya, many of them children. Earlier this year
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki declared a national disaster in the
drought-affected regions, calling for nearly $100 million in emergency
assistance from abroad. Kibaki said his country would need some $76 million
in outside food aid to get through the latest crisis. "My government is
appealing to all our friends to come forward with assistance to support our
national efforts," Kibaki said. "If the short rains expected in
October-December fail, the country will experience a more severe food
shortage, and up to 4.3 million Kenyans -- including 1.5 million school
children -- will require food assistance." World Vision is partnering with
the World Food Program to provide food aid to suffering children and
families over the next six months. (Agape Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
_______________________________________________
HCJBDaily mailing list
***@list.hcjb.org

TO SUBSCRIBE, send a blank e-mail to:
HCJBDaily-***@list.hcjb.org
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--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-09-25 00:03:40 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 8:15 AM

Today's Headlines:

CHURCH BUILDING BURNED FOLLOWING POLICE RAID IN RUSSIA
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN MACEDONIA DENIED REGISTRATION
RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS' PRAYER GROUP IMPACTS OREGON COMMUNITY
CHINESE CHURCH EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH, GREATER ACCEPTANCE
4,000+ COME TO CHRIST THROUGH LUIS PALAU CAMPAIGN IN FIJI
BILLY GRAHAM RECOVERING, PREPARES TO PREACH AT 2 FALL CRUSADES

Today's News Stories:

CHURCH BUILDING BURNED FOLLOWING POLICE RAID IN RUSSIA
On Aug. 21-22 representatives from the International Union of Churches of
the Evangelical Christian Baptists were scheduled to hold an annual service
in a tent in the town of Lyubuchany, a few miles south of Moscow. Website
reports indicate that the meetings had been held in the area for more than
10 years. Since the meetings were of a religious nature, they did not fall
under the regulations requiring approval from local authorities. However, on
Friday, Aug. 20, the owner of the land, V.L. Chekanov, was called to the
police station where he was asked to explain the nature of the meeting. That
evening hundreds of police moved in on the site, including officers with
machine guns and gas masks. Authorities dismantled the tent and the
furnishings, verbally abusing those present and injuring one man who had
been taking photographs. Three weeks later, the hostility escalated when the
building where the local church was meeting was torched by a group of
vandals. The church was meeting in a house on the property of Sergei Kareev
who lived nearby. At about 3:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13, the family heard the
sound of breaking glass and found the building on fire and a group of people
gathered. When the family shouted at them, the group ran away. A few days
earlier some of those responsible for the attack in August had been seen in
the woods near the Kareev property. An arson report was filed by police only
after the insistence of church members. (Voice of the Martyrs)

SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN MACEDONIA DENIED REGISTRATION
The Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia has again submitted a registration
application, but this is "unlikely to succeed," said Cane Mojanovski, head
of the government's committee for relations with religious communities.
"Such communities will never get registration." He said the law allows only
one organization for any one faith, and only the Macedonian Orthodox Church
can exist in the country. Metropolitan Jovan, who heads the country's
Serbian Church, has been convicted of inciting religious hatred. He
complains that the state is "in league" with the rival Macedonian Church.
"They do not let us perform services, they harass me with these trials and
they do not let foreign Orthodox priests enter or travel through Macedonia."
An interior ministry blacklist reportedly contains the names of more than 20
Serbian Orthodox bishops who are banned from entering Macedonia. (Forum 18
News Service)

RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS' PRAYER GROUP IMPACTS OREGON COMMUNITY
A prayer group consisting of a dozen elderly Christian Russian immigrants is
touching lives in Portland, Ore., interceding for any and all who ask.
Employees of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), where
Ukrainians and Russians gathered for senior citizens' services, noticed how
fervently the group prayed, The Oregonian reported. Through word of mouth,
the prayer group took on a life of its own. The members, who belong to
Ukraine Bible Church, Solamita Church and other Russian-speaking churches in
Portland, regularly honor outside prayer requests, said Lisa Buffington,
IRCO's senior and specialized services manager. Years ago in Russia and
Ukraine, the Pentecostal Christians were fined, ostracized and threatened
with prison because they prayed. They gathered secretly in houses or remote
rural areas, but still communist police found them. Vasiliy Bosovik, 73,
said that as a former pastor he had to keep a low profile back home. But
Bosovik and others found refuge in Portland about a decade ago. The prayer
group's leader, Sergey Safonov, 73, learned to say "God bless America" in
English so he could say it to every American he met. "This country gave us
bread and salt," said Safonov, referring to a familiar Russian expression.
(Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

CHINESE CHURCH EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH, GREATER ACCEPTANCE
The church in China is seeing tremendous growth and increased government
acceptance, says Erik Burklin of a ministry called China Partner. There are
now more than 40 million Christians in China. In many places where the
government had torn down homes and churches, authorities are giving
permission for people to rebuild. In October a new church building that
seats 1,800 will be dedicated in the city of Linchuan in the Jiangxi
province. China Partner has been involved in the building project and is
excited about this opportunity, Burklin says. While the situation is
improving in China, the church still has great needs for training and
equipping its leaders. "One of the most needed aspects of the fast-growing
Chinese church is for additional pastors to be trained and equipped to do
the ministry," he said. "So many people are accepting Christ all across
China. In some provinces it's stronger than others, but overall the church
is exploding." (Mission Network News)

4,000+ COME TO CHRIST THROUGH LUIS PALAU CAMPAIGN IN FIJI
More than 4,000 people made commitments to Christ at the close of the Luis
Palau Evangelistic Association's recent FijiFest 2004 celebration in Suva,
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 10-11. An estimated 10 percent of the country's
850,000 people were touched by the event. In addition to the crusade,
ministry teams reached out to the community with various projects. Many were
involved in cleaning up neighborhoods, repairing infrastructures and helping
out at hospitals, jails, schools and villages. Also under the banner of
FijiFest, three medical teams from Window of Hope treated more than 2,400
people, and business and leadership forums were presented by the Sentinel
Group and Kingdom Business Forum. (Mission Network News)

BILLY GRAHAM RECOVERING, PREPARES TO PREACH AT 2 FALL CRUSADES
Rev. Billy Graham confirmed his plans to preach at consecutive crusades in
Kansas City in October and Los Angeles in November following a recent house
call by his longtime primary Mayo doctor and local physicians. Doctors
reported that the evangelist is progressing well -- nearly one month ahead
of schedule -- and has recovered rapidly in the last few weeks from two
serious falls that resulted in surgeries performed earlier this year, a hip
replacement and a pelvic fracture repair. "I feel better than I expected to
at this point, and I am thankful that God has strengthened me for continued
ministry," Graham said. "I appreciate everyone's prayers on my behalf, and I
look forward once again to bringing a message of God's love and forgiveness
to the people of Kansas City and Los Angeles." Graham will preach at
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City Oct. 7-10 and at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,
Calif., near Los Angeles Nov. 18-21. (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
_______________________________________________

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

*** Note new JMM website URL*** http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
http://articlesandreviews.blogspot.com/
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-15 22:50:32 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 3:09 AM

Today's Headlines:

SWORD-WIELDING ASSAILANTS KILL 2 CHRISTIANS IN INDONESIA
2 STUDENTS EXPELLED FOR ATTENDING 'ILLEGAL' CHURCH IN UZBEKISTAN
ISLAMIC COURT IN NIGERIA HANDS DEATH SENTENCE TO PREGNANT WOMAN
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP TO RELOCATE HEADQUARTERS TO IDAHO
650,000 PERUVIANS HEAR GOSPEL MESSAGE AT LUIS PALAU FESTIVAL IN LIMA
WORLD VISION HELPS ECUADORIANS PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL ERUPTION

Today's News Stories:

SWORD-WIELDING ASSAILANTS KILL 2 CHRISTIANS IN INDONESIA
Fresh violence claimed the lives of two Protestant Christians the night of
Wednesday, Oct. 13. Yahya and Sakeus were attacked by unknown sword-wielding
assailants as they walked along a crowded street in Jono Oge, Donggala
district, a village 12 miles from Sulawesi's provincial capital of Palu.
Police was deployed at both Donggala and Poso, two villages that have been
torn by sectarian clashes between Protestant Christians and Muslims in the
last few years. Donggala Police Chief Sismantoro told journalists that his
investigators were pursuing some leads but gave no further details as to who
was behind the attack and why. Jono Oge is a predominantly Christian village
known for its pig farming. Wednesday night's attack was the second 1in the
last eight months. In March, violence claimed at least one other villager,
while two others suffered from serious injuries. (WorldWide Religious
News/AsiaNews)

2 STUDENTS EXPELLED FOR ATTENDING 'ILLEGAL' CHURCH IN UZBEKISTAN
Two Christian students were expelled last month from a medical institute in
Uzbekistan for being members of an "illegal" Protestant church. Aliya
Sherimbetova and Shirin Artykbayeva are part of the Church of Christ in
Nukus, a town in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, Forum 18 News
Service reported. Six other local Protestant students have been harassed in
Nukus this year. A Tashkent Medical Institute teacher reportedly raided the
apartment of Sherimbetova, Artykbayeva and two other students in April,
confiscating Christian literature and forcing them to move to communal
lodgings where they could be more closely scrutinized. Sherimbetova is a
second-year student, and Artykbayeva is in her third year of medical study.
Karakalpakstan is a region where it is difficult for Christian churches of
any denomination to gain official registration, making it illegal for
believers to meet for worship. Uzbekistan's religion law bans unregistered
religious activity. (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

ISLAMIC COURT IN NIGERIA HANDS DEATH SENTENCE TO PREGNANT WOMAN
An Islamic (sharia) court in Lere, Tafawa Balewa, in Nigeria's Bauchi state
has sentenced a 29-year-old woman, Hajara Ibrahim, a divorcee, to death by
stoning for allegedly being pregnant outside wedlock. But the sharia court
also set free Dauda Sani, the 35-year-old man accused by the convict to be
responsible for the pregnancy, for lack of evidence linking him to the act.
Delivering judgment, Judge Abubakar Bello said the offence was contrary to
the sharia legal code as practiced in the state, stressing that the offence
was punishable with death by stoning. The judge however, handed over Ibrahim
to her guardian to take care of her until she gives birth before the
sentence is carried out. The sharia court judge said it is, however, subject
to the approval of the state governor, Adamu Mu'azu. This is the fourth
death sentence to be handed down since the state adopted the sharia legal
code while more than 20 others are awaiting approval for amputation,
including the media-celebrated Hussaini Maidoya who chopped off his wife's
leg. (Voice of the Christian Martyrs Nigeria)

MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP TO RELOCATE HEADQUARTERS TO IDAHO
California is known for its high cost of living, forcing many mission
agencies headquartered there to move. Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is
no exception as it will move its headquarters from Redlands, Calif., to
Boise, Idaho, in the summer of 2005, says mission spokesman Kevin Swanson.
"We've been very aware of the high cost of living and doing business here
and always have in the back of our mind the question of stewardship. We want
to be the best stewards of the resources the Lord has entrusted to us. It
came up once again at our board meeting and our board of directors said,
'It's time to look again and see if it makes sense to move to a place where
the cost of living is more economical.'" Swanson says moving to Idaho means
a considerable savings in overhead for running MAF. "We are planning on
letting that translate into increased ministry overseas. We've got
opportunities overseas for new flight programs or expanding service in areas
where we're already working, and freeing up funds on this end is, of course,
going to allow us to do more ministry on the other end." (Mission Network
News)

650,000 PERUVIANS HEAR GOSPEL MESSAGE AT LUIS PALAU FESTIVAL IN LIMA
Luis Palau's "Great music, Good News!" festival came to Lima, Peru, the week
of Oct. 4-9 in a historic campaign for the world evangelist and author. In
six days nearly 650,000 people heard Palau's message of salvation. He was
invited by the country's political leadership and hundreds of churches to
bring his festival of Christian music and celebration to Peru's capital city
of eight million. On his first full day in the city, Palau met with Peru's
national leaders, including President Alejandro Toledo, Lima Mayor Luis
Castaneda Lossio and members of the Peruvian Congress. Long-time Palau team
member Ruben Proietti said, "In my 25 years with Luis Palau, there has never
been a day quite like this where so many top leaders of a nation were eager
to receive Luis and listen to his counsel on the relevance of Jesus Christ
to governing a nation." The week of celebration concluded with two
evangelistic festivals at Lima's Campo Marte Park. More than 41,000
Peruvians filled out a decision cards confirming their commitment to become
followers of Jesus Christ -- a record response for the Palau ministry.
(Assist News Service)

WORLD VISION HELPS ECUADORIANS PREPARE FOR POTENTIAL ERUPTION
World Vision recently trained communication staff and community leaders on
how to respond in the event of an eruption of Mt. Cotopaxi, an active
snowcapped mountain in Ecuador. One of the most dangerous volcanoes in the
Andes, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times since 1738. Pablo Samaniego,
an expert with Ecuador's Geophysical Institute, provided an overview of the
volcano's activity. Maj. Oswaldo Navas, head of Civil Defense in Cotopaxi
province, walked participants through World Vision's mitigation plans. World
Vision also discussed its communications plan that would go into effect in
the event of an eruption that could melt Cotopaxi's snowcap, inundating the
valleys below Quito with fast-moving flows of mud and ash. Specialists at
Ecuador's Geophysics Institute know where the mud flows would go in the
event of an eruption, said volcanologist Minard Hall as quoted in the Quito
daily newspaper El Comercio. "We don't have answers about when, only about
where and how," he said. Hall and Institute Director Hugo Yepes showed a
newly updated map of affected areas should the volcano erupt. The revised
map shows that the flows could reach the Los Chillos and Tumbaco valleys as
well as Latacunga and Salcedo. (World Vision/HCJB World Radio/El Comercio)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.

~~~

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
http://www.forum18.org/

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief

=================================================

12 October 2004
ARMENIA: WILL ARMENIA NOW FULFIL ALL ITS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITMENTS?
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=430
After repeated refusals over a nine-year period, the Jehovah's Witness
community has finally received state registration. Hratch Keshishian, a
Jehovah's Witness leader, told Forum 18 News Service that "when they phoned
us from the state registry to tell us that registration had been issued I
didn't believe them." But it is not known what impact this will have on the
Jehovah's Witnesses serving prison terms for refusing military service,
thus breaking Armenia's commitments to the Council of Europe. Keshishian
told Forum 18 that freedom to practise their faith as a religious community
is now the Jehovah's Witnesses' aim, as "registration in itself doesn't
resolve all our problems." For example, under Armenia's religion law, but
against international human rights obligations, only the Armenian Apostolic
Church is legally permitted to conduct missionary activity.


12 October 2004
KAZAKHSTAN: DO POLICE AND KNB WANT TO CATCH CRIMINALS?
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=429
The police and KNB secret police have shown much more interest in the legal
missionary activity of a Protestant church, than in apprehending and
prosecuting a group of people who on two separate occasions physically
attacked the Pastor and church members, punching them, throwing them from a
moving lorry, stealing and destroying religious literature, as well as
stealing money and a mobile phone. Such attacks are illegal under Kazakh
law, but the police and KNB have repeatedly refused to explain to the
church, to the chairman of the Association of Religious Organisations of
Kazakhstan, and to Forum 18 why they seem more interested in missionaries
than criminals.


14 October 2004
NORTH KOREA: CHRISTIANS MURDERED, SOURCES STATE
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=431
A North Korean army general who become a Christian was, after he had begun
to evangelise in his unit, shot dead by another senior army officer in
2003, Protestant sources have told Forum 18 News Service. Other known
Christians are in some cases martyred by being shot, or are imprisoned. The
sentence is dependent upon the situation. Forum 18 knows of the execution
and torture of Christians continuing, but has not been able to establish if
followers of other religions have suffered similarly. North Korean
Protestants are said to be "very, very strong believers", resisting
material inducements in prison to recant their faith, but when they
stubbornly refuse to recant they are then shot. The state is said to be
watching the increase in contacts between North Korea and the rest of the
world "very carefully", and "false believers" may be used by the
authorities to contact missionaries in humanitarian aid initiatives.
Details of sources cannot be revealed by Forum 18, for fear of reprisals
against them.
* See full article below. *


15 October 2004
TURKMENISTAN: PUBLIC PROSECUTORS ASSAULT AND THREATEN TO RAPE FEMALE
JEHOVAH'S WITNESS
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=432
Amid a continuing crackdown on religious minorities, a female Jehovah's
Witness, Gulsherin Babakulieva, has been assaulted and threatened with rape
by two public prosecutors, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. The second
prosecutor to threaten rape also said that he would then dress Babakuliva
as a suicide bomber, to frame her as a terrorist. Threats of rape have been
used against another female Jehovah's Witness, and at least one male
Jehovah's Witness prisoner of conscience has been homosexually raped. The
persecution of Jehovah's Witneses and other religious minorities continues
throughout Turkmenistan.


11 October 2004
XINJIANG: LINKED RELIGIOUS PRACTICE AND STATE CONTROL LEVELS?
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=428
China maintains few controls on religious life in the mountainous Altai
[Altay] region in the far north of Xinjiang, Forum 18 News Service has
noted, apparently because there are only low levels of Islamic, Buddhist,
Pagan, Orthodox and Pentecostal Christian religious practice among the
majority ethnic Kazakhs, as well as among Chinese and most other local
minorities. In contrast, Forum 18 has observed strict controls in nearby
mosques amongst the Muslim Dungan people, and the visit of a Russian
Orthodox priest, Fr Vianor Ivanov, was met by the authorities arresting
him, as well as questioning virtually all the several dozen elderly
Orthodox believers in the city Fr Ivanov visited, before deporting him.


14 October 2004
NORTH KOREA: CHRISTIANS MURDERED, SOURCES STATE

http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=431
By Magda Hornemann, Forum 18 News Service

Protestant sources, who have contacts with Christians in North Korea, have
told Forum 18 News Service that a North Korean army general who had become
a Christian was, after he had begun to evangelise in his unit, shot dead by
another senior army officer in 2003. The sources also claim that known
Christians are in some cases executed by being shot, or are imprisoned, and
that it is thought by the authorities that "you are an enemy of the state
if you have a Bible". The sentence depended upon the situation, the sources
reported, and it remains unclear whether it is imposed by a court or by a
single party official: "It can be for any excuse, without explanation."
Forum 18 has also received a separate report that such executions continue
from a Protestant who had learned of them from a North Korean in 2002.

Forum 18 has been unable to gain independent verification of the shooting
dead of the unnamed general, or of the executions and martyrdom of other
Christians, as the secretive regime ruling North Korea (known officially as
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) does not allow independent
religious freedom monitoring. Nor can Forum 18 reveal details of sources,
for fear of reprisals against them. Forum 18 has not been able to establish
if any followers of other religions, such as Buddhism or the Chondogyo
("Heavenly Way") religion, an indigenous Korean religious belief, have
suffered similarly.

Forum 18 has received other reports of the execution of Christians, and the
torture of religious prisoners in North Korea. A Korean speaker, who has
interviewed North Korean refugees, told Forum 18 that a group of elderly
Christians, who had maintained their faith since before 1950, in a small
town along the North Korean-Chinese border were executed in 2000, for their
refusal to renounce their faith. Former North Korean officials and
prisoners, like Soon-Ok Lee, have also testified that religious persons,
particularly Christians, who were imprisoned, were subject to worse
treatment than other prisoners (see F18News 25 February 2004
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=261 ).

One Protestant who met North Koreans officially outside the country in 2002
told Forum 18 that none of them had any idea whatsoever about religion,
"not even Buddhism". The Protestant said he had spoken of his faith
one-to-one to a North Korean, a middle-aged man with a purely communist
family background. The man described to the Protestant how he lived in
communal conditions, with compulsory Party meetings every Saturday morning,
and explained that he was outside North Korea to get extra food for his
family.

He was interested in faith in principle, but said that a person who becomes
a believer in North Korea might be shot for some kind of violation, or else
bring negative consequences upon his or her family. The North Korean knew
this to be the case, the Protestant told Forum 18, because he knew someone
in an official position who was able to influence the nature of such
punishments. The North Korean refused to accept a Korean-language Bible
from the Protestant.

Such Protestant sources maintained that the main objection to Christianity
is its incompatibility with state ideology, which demands sole faith - of a
markedly religious nature - in the communist leadership, which is
officially still headed by "Eternal President" Kim Il Sung, despite his
death in 1994. "If you believe in Jesus you go to jail. You must believe in
Kim Il Sung." However, they acknowledged that ownership of a South-Korean
produced Bible, for instance, might also be a factor in punishment, since
it suggested illegal contact with foreigners.

The sources also stressed to Forum 18 that North Korean Protestants are
"very, very strong believers" and said prison guards sometimes offer
material incentives to Christian prisoners if they recanted their faith,
but that they stubbornly refuse to do this and so are then shot.

While acknowledging that they did not know who met there, the sources told
Forum 18 that they thought the official Protestant and Catholic churches in
the capital Pyongyang are "just buildings", intended to put on a pretence
of there being religious freedom. These official churches are soon due to
be joined by an Orthodox church (see F18News 27 September 2004
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=419 ) and possibly also, if
the North Korean government gives permission, by an "International Church"
exclusively for foreigners, with Protestant services in English, to be
built by foreign charities active in North Korea.

North Korea is also said to have established a fake Protestant church for
refugees outside the country, run by a Pastor whose family is being held
hostage in North Korea, members of whose congregation have been forcibly
taken back to North Korea (see F18News 25 February 2004
http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=261 ).

Discussing the current increase in contacts between North Korea and the
rest of the world, the sources told Forum 18 that some government officials
might say they were believers in order to attract funds or gain
information, and that the state was watching "very carefully" foreign
missionaries and humanitarian aid workers who are trying to enter the
country. "They [missionaries] will meet false believers, who will try to
contact them," the sources warned.

The sources also told Forum 18 that there is no reliable estimate for the
number of Christians, of any church, in North Korea, and that they could
not name even towns where Christians are located for fear of an
indiscriminate crackdown in those places. North Korean churches lead an
entirely underground existence, they said, meeting in unpopulated areas of
the countryside to evade bugging in homes or informants. Noting that the
population lives communally, the sources said that the secret police were
very prevalent in society with, for example, wives spying on husbands and
vice versa.

North Koreans who became Christians as the result of a dramatic spiritual
revival, which began in 1945-47 before the Korean War began in 1950, have
been instrumental in Christianity surviving in North Korea, by the faith
being passed on almost exclusively through families, the sources
reported.

North Koreans outside the country with official permission remain highly
fearful of religious contacts. A Korean-speaking Protestant pastor told
Forum 18 that he had had some unofficial contact with such North Koreans,
but that their superiors did not allow them to mix with foreigners, as this
could have a negative impact on their families at home. He said that they
might have some kind of memory of religion, but "they don't open up",
adding: "One was interested to know what I did, but it was very difficult
to determine his reaction."

For more background information see Forum 18's survey of religion in North
Korea at http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=261

A printer-friendly map of North Korea is available at
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=nkorea
(END)

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved.

You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News http://www.forum18.org/

Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at
http://www.forum18.org/
=================================================

SUBSCRIBE here:
http://www.forum18.org/Subscribe.php and enter your e-mail address for
either the full or the weekly edition.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-20 04:31:24 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 2:18 AM

VIOLENCE STALLS AID GOING INTO WAR-TORN REGION OF SUDAN
KAZAKHSTAN POLICE LAUNCH CRIMINAL CASE AGAIN CHRISTIAN TEACHER
NATIVE MISSIONARIES WORK TO BRING AID TO DROUGHT-RAVAGED KENYA
MAN LAYS DOWN CACHE OF WEAPONS AT CHURCH ALTAR IN GEORGIA
INDIA'S MUSLIMS SHOW SURPRISING OPENNESS TO CHRISTIANITY
CONGREGATIONS IN U.S. INCREASINGLY TUNE IN TO 'VIDEO CAFES'

Today's News Stories:

VIOLENCE STALLS AID GOING INTO WAR-TORN REGION OF SUDAN
Humanitarian aid is being scaled back in western Sudan's war-torn Darfur
region due to growing violence after 20 months of rebellion. Nationwide,
civil war in the country in the last two decades has killed 2 million people
and devastated southern Sudan. A much-touted peace accord seems to have been
forgotten, says Lee DeYoung from Words of Hope. "It seems as if there have
been incidents of tensions between people who profess to be Christians. So
we pray that trend will not continue and that the peace that might come and
bring some stability and development to the infrastructure in southern Sudan
might be something that people can celebrate." Words of Hope continues to
broadcast the gospel to the Sudanese and recently relocated a solar studio
to be closer to the refugees. Meanwhile, a summit of African leaders has
opened in the Libyan capital of Tripoli aimed at finding a solution to the
crisis in Darfur, the BBC reported. The leaders of Libya, Chad, Egypt,
Nigeria and Sudan are discussing how to end fighting among government
forces, militias and rebel groups. Since the Darfur conflict began, more
than 70,000 people have died and another 1 million have been forced to
abandon their homes. David Nabarro, head of the World Health Organization's
health crisis group, said up to 10,000 people are dying in refugee camps
each month. The summit comes ahead of the resumption of peace talks in
Nigeria between the Sudanese government and the rebels later this month.
(Mission Network News/Assist News Service)

KAZAKHSTAN POLICE LAUNCH CRIMINAL CASE AGAIN CHRISTIAN TEACHER
Members of Kazakhstan's secret police are accusing ballet teacher Vladislav
Polskikh from Pavlodar in northeastern Kazakhstan of criminal behavior after
openly informing the parents of his pupils that he is a Protestant. The
local secret police launched a criminal case against Polskikh on Aug. 19 for
"corruption of [children's] objective interpretation of events and adoption
of certain life values" which carries a penalty of either a fine or
imprisonment of up to two years. Polskikh said he revealed his Christian
beliefs in an attempt to protect himself from charges of proselytism. "My
only 'crime' is that of not hiding my religious beliefs from the children,"
he said. "It is true that I began lessons with the words, 'With God's help,'
and said goodbye to the children by saying, 'God be with you.' When I found
out that some of the parents were unhappy with my professions of belief, I
asked them to sign a form by way of insurance, but I achieved precisely the
opposite result." Ninel Fokina, head of the Almaty Helsinki Committee, said
the form that Polskikh asked his pupils' parents to fill in was the
ostensible reason for bringing the case. The form stated, "I entrust my
child . . . to the teacher, V.E. Polskikh. I am aware of the teacher's
religious beliefs, and I do not object to the use of any expressions or
images connected with his faith during lessons." (Forum 18 News Service)

NATIVE MISSIONARIES WORK TO BRING AID TO DROUGHT-RAVAGED KENYA
After a poor rainy season, much of Kenya is experiencing a severe drought.
More than 2 million people are facing starvation in the country as maize
crops and water sources dry up. Indigenous ministries, though suffering from
effects of the drought themselves, are working to bring aid to hungry people
in the name of Christ. However, they face increasing difficulty as food
prices soar and famine spreads. Twenty-six of Kenya's 74 districts are now
drought-ridden. The most acute sufferers are women and children. In the
hardest-hit areas, an estimated 35 percent are severely malnourished.
Overtaxed public health services provide little relief. Along with
malnutrition, drought brings increased risk of disease as rural people crowd
around remaining water sources-many of which are contaminated-in unsanitary
encampments. Prostitution is on the rise as desperately hungry women try to
provide for themselves and their families, causing the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases. Native missionaries in Kenya want to provide food and
water for these suffering people, yet many are barely surviving themselves.
(Christian Aid Mission)

MAN LAYS DOWN CACHE OF WEAPONS AT CHURCH ALTAR IN GEORGIA
Saying he was led by the Lord to do so, Jerome Harris went to church to lay
down his burdens -- it just so happens the burden he was carrying was a
handful of weapons. The pastor of Mount Hebron Baptist Church in Trinity
Gardens, near Mobile, Ala., admits that both he and the congregation were
surprised when Harris dropped off his weapons on the altar. Still, Pastor
Joe Johnson had the wherewithal to commend Harris and then take care of
matters. "I remember asking him, 'Well, this is a great thing that you want
to do, but for the protection of the people . . . let me just check the
weapon and make sure there's not maybe a bullet that's lodged in the
chamber.'" NBC affiliate WPMI in Mobile reported that Harris had more
weapons under his shirt that he later surrendered. What was the
congregation's reaction? Harris, 29, was showered with love and was not
treated as a criminal, Johnson said. "All he wanted to do was turn his life
around." WPMI reported that the church has invited other members of the
community to drop off their weapons -- but only if they are serious about
making a change in their lives. (Agape Press)

INDIA'S MUSLIMS SHOW SURPRISING OPENNESS TO CHRISTIANITY
Mission India's John DeVries says the growth of the Muslim population in
India is now outpacing that of the Hindu population. While the country's
Hindu nationalists could be considered "extremist," the country's Muslim
population is "fairly moderate," he says. This has paved the way for a
growing outreach. "Ever since 9/11 there have been shockwaves through the
Muslim community to such an extent that, in our ministry, we've actually
formed a department to minister exclusively to Muslims," DeVries says. Staff
members are finding what other mission groups discovered -- India's Muslims
are searching for truth and respond quickly when they hear the gospel.
"We're finding a tremendous openness among them, especially literacy for
young women. In a couple of cities [more than 2,000] Muslim women are
engaged in [our] Bible literacy program." (Mission Network News)

CONGREGATIONS IN U.S. INCREASINGLY TUNE IN TO 'VIDEO CAFES'
A growing number of churches in the U.S. are "tuning in" to God through
"video cafes." The Washington Post reported that congregations across the
country are offering services with TV sermons in which a pastor preaches
live in a more traditional service in one room while people in the video
cafe see only his talking head on a screen. The success of the technology
has allowed churches to start low-cost branches miles from their main
sanctuaries without having to find and hire another pastor to do the
preaching. Video venues are experiencing explosive growth nationwide.
Seacoast Church in Charleston, S.C., records the senior pastor's sermons
Saturday night and delivers the videotapes by bus to eight locations for
Sunday services across the city. The video services, launched two years ago,
draw a total of 2,000 people -- about a third of the congregation. (Religion
Today/Charisma News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-22 07:08:34 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 2:37 AM

RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN BELARUS FEAR CRACKDOWN AFTER ELECTIONS
EXTREMISTS SUSPECTED OF RAIDING CHURCHES IN ZANZIBAR
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FACE INCREASING PRESSURE IN UZBEKISTAN
U.N. WARNS OF AIDS EPIDEMIC SPREADING ACROSS ECUADOR

Today's News Stories:

RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN BELARUS FEAR CRACKDOWN AFTER ELECTIONS
Members of Belarus' religious minorities are bracing for a new wave of
persecution following controversial elections Sunday, Oct. 17, that boosted
the power base of President Alexander Lukashenko and led to the arrest of
dozens of dissidents. The weekend elections and referendum in Belarus "fell
significantly short" of international standards, Western observers said. The
referendum approved the lifting of a constitutional ban on a third term for
President Alexander Lukashenko who has been in power since 1994. "Democratic
freedoms were largely disregarded by the authorities," said Tone Tingsgaard,
head of the observer mission from the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Human rights groups have accused Lukashenko of
creating a "military-style state" reminiscent of the former Soviet Union.
The government claims that 77.3 percent of voters backed a constitutional
amendment allowing Lukashenko to seek a third term in office, and no
opposition candidates were elected to the parliament. Both votes were "very
strongly disputed."

Forty-six opposition members were arrested in Minsk the evening of Tuesday,
Oct. 19, for holding an unsanctioned demonstration and face a maximum
penalty of 10 days in jail, Belarus Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov told
the Russian Interfax news agency. At least one dissident, Anatoly Lebedko,
leader of the United Civil Party, arrived at an emergency room after he was
arrested at a demonstration near the presidential palace in Minsk and
reportedly beaten by police. Police denied reports that they also beat up
Baptist street evangelist Andrei Fokin; however, they admitted repeatedly
detaining Baptists who were running a street library. Lukashenko is expected
to implement what human rights groups describe as one of Europe's strictest
religious laws, jeopardizing religious groups and churches that the
president deems as a threat to his rule. With the next presidential election
due in the fall of 2006, Lukashenko claims that a third term is for the good
of the nation, but his opponents have accused him of trying to become leader
for life. (BosNewsLife/BBC)

EXTREMISTS SUSPECTED OF RAIDING CHURCHES IN ZANZIBAR
Several churches have been attacked on the predominantly Muslim island of
Zanzibar off the Tanzanian coast, a church official said on Tuesday, Oct.
19. "One church was burned totally last week," said Julian Kangalawe of the
Tanzanian Episcopal Conference. No one was injured. The church attacked last
weekend was Roman Catholic. It was the third recent attack on a church on
the island. Earlier in the week, a Lutheran church was set on fire, and the
wall of another Roman Catholic church was destroyed. Suspicion has fallen on
Muslim extremists as religious and political tension rises on the island.
Presidential and legislative elections are expected in 2005. The last
elections in 2000 were marred by voter intimidation, politically motivated
violence and other irregularities. In April three other churches were
attacked. Kangalawe said that religious intolerance is increasing on the
island. For example, during Ramadan last year, people were attacked for
eating during the day. (WorldWide Religious News/Sapa)

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FACE INCREASING PRESSURE IN UZBEKISTAN
Dilshod Akhmedov, a Jehovah's Witness in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, who was
imprisoned for 15 days in May, and who refuses to give up public preaching,
is now being investigated under the criminal code by police. Conviction
carries a penalty of a fine of between 50 and 100 times the minimum wage, or
up to three years in prison. Also, officials in the city of Samarkand have
threatened to fire a female Jehovah's Witness, Lolya Nurmanova, for her
beliefs. The authorities also have compelled a woman sympathetic to the
Jehovah's Witnesses to report to the authorities "everything that goes on in
the religious community." Pressure continues on Jehovah's Witnesses
throughout Uzbekistan with some being convicted and fined without being
given a chance to defend themselves in court. (Forum 18 News Service)

U.N. WARNS OF AIDS EPIDEMIC SPREADING ACROSS ECUADOR
The spread of AIDS in Ecuador's most populated province is reaching levels
comparable to Africa and the Caribbean a decade ago and could mushroom into
a national epidemic if left unchecked, U.N. officials warned Tuesday, Oct.
19. "In 10 or 15 years, if there isn't important prevention work, we are
going to have a frightening epidemic starting on the coast and spreading to
the entire country," Paul Martin, a U.N. Children's Fund representative,
told reporters. "In certain zones on the coast in Guayas the levels of AIDS
infections are approaching levels reached 10 years ago by Africa and the
Caribbean," he said during a press conference called by the U.N. to draw
attention to the problem. He said the U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS has budgeted
$14 million for Ecuador, Ecuador's Health Ministry noted that between 4,800
and 5,000 AIDS cases have been reported in the country of 12 million, but
the number of unreported cases could be as high as 50,000. Mauricio Valdez,
the U.N.'s coordinator in Ecuador, said "80 percent of the cases are on the
coast in Guayas" which has as its capital, Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city
with 3.3 million people. Miguel Machuca, a representative of the Pan
American Health Organization, says the AIDS situation in Ecuador is
especially alarming because of the predominance of infections in women and
children. "This means the epidemic is advancing out of control," Machuca
said. (Associated Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-26 23:23:12 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 5:30 AM

Today's Headlines:

TAJIKISTAN GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN CHILDREN'S CAMP MINISTRY
SAUDI ARABIA COURT SENTENCES FOREIGNER FOR SPREADING CHRISTIANITY
MENNONITE CHAPEL ATTACKED AS PERSECUTION INCREASES IN VIETNAM
HEALTH OF IMPRISONED CUBAN DISSIDENT 'DETERIORATING,' WIFE SAYS
AUTHOR: CENTER OF CHRISTIANITY SHIFTING TO SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
MEXICAN CHURCHES USE 'JAMMERS' TO THWART CELL PHONE CALLS

Today's News Stories:

TAJIKISTAN GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN CHILDREN'S CAMP MINISTRY
The government in Tajikistan shut down a children's camp ministry earlier
this summer after seizing land owned by local churches. Mark Reimschisel of
Bible Mission International said believers are petitioning authorities to
return the camp, but the "court case is officially closed." He urges
Christians worldwide to pray about this situation and write letters to the
government of Tajikistan, asking officials to release the camp back to the
churches. Reimschisel says the government has been increasingly hostile to
Christians even though freedom of religion is protected by the country's
constitution. In May 1998 the government passed a law to prohibit the
creation of political parties with a religious orientation. This restriction
was later lifted, and two members of an Islamic party sit in the lower House
of Parliament. (Mission Network News)

SAUDI ARABIA COURT SENTENCES FOREIGNER FOR SPREADING CHRISTIANITY
A Saudi Arabian court sentenced Brian O'Connor, an expatriate Christian from
India, to 10 months in jail and 300 lashes Wednesday, Oct. 20, accusing him
of "spreading Christianity" and other charges. O'Connor was first arrested
on March 25, 2004, by the Muttawa, Saudi Arabia's religious police.
International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that the young Indian native
was tortured by police following his arrest. O'Connor's legs were first
chained, and he was hung upside down when the Muttawa came in . . . and
kicked him in the chest and rib area" continuously until 2 a.m. "After
enduring months in a Saudi prison, O'Connor was taken to court in late
September for a brief, 90-minute hearing," an ICC spokesperson said.
"Charges brought against him included selling alcohol and possession of
pornography in addition to spreading Christianity. Executives at his
employer declared that the allegations against their employee are a cover-up
for the real reason for his arrest [spreading the gospel]." (Assist News
Service)

MENNONITE CHAPEL ATTACKED AS PERSECUTION INCREASES IN VIETNAM
Vietnam's recent demolition of a Mennonite chapel in Vietnam's Kontum
province highlights the country's intensifying campaign against religious
freedom, Human Rights Watch reported. A new law, expected to go into effect
in November, bans any religious activity deemed to threaten national
security, public order or national unity. On the morning of Friday, Sept.
24, more than 200 officials, including paramilitary police, descended on the
chapel and home of Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh in Kontum province. The attack
marked the second time the chapel was destroyed this year. On Jan. 16
authorities bulldozed the same chapel which doubles as Chinh's residence. In
the Sept. 24 attack, government officials confiscated Chinh's property and
farm animals, set fire to the house and chapel, and then used two bulldozers
to flatten the remains.

Chinh was out on a pastoral visit at the time, but his wife and children
were arrested by officials and detained at Vinh Quang district headquarters.
Mrs. Chinh, who is seven months' pregnant, reported being hit in the stomach
and stepped on while in custody. "All that remains of the Mennonite chapel
in the central highlands is a cement floor," she wrote in a letter. Vietnam
does not recognize the Mennonite church as a Protestant denomination.
"Bulldozing a Mennonite chapel is just one aspect of the Vietnamese
government's crackdown on freedom of religion," said Brad Adams, executive
director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division. "Whether through legislation
or through violence, the government has shown it is increasingly unwilling
to tolerate religious practice outside its strict control." (WorldWide
Religious News/Reuters)

HEALTH OF IMPRISONED CUBAN DISSIDENT 'DETERIORATING,' WIFE SAYS
The health of an influential imprisoned Cuban political prisoner Raul
Arencibia Fajardo is "rapidly deteriorating" after prison officials denied
him medical attention for more than a month, said is wife, Olga, in a
statement. "He has a permanent cough, sore throat and high fever due to the
lack of medical attention," she said after meeting her husband in jail on
Thursday, Oct. 7. Fajardo was one of 17 dissidents whom communist
authorities arrested in December 2002, reported Amnesty International. He
has been linked Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet of the Lawton Human Rights
Foundation, another Christian dissident whose health is said to have
deteriorated after prison officials refused to give him enough food or
medications, his family and dissident sources said. Fajardo was sentenced to
three years in prison in what human rights watchers described as an "unjust
trial" on charges of contempt and public disorder along with dissidents
Virgilio Marante Guelmes and Orlando Zapata Tamayo. More than 70 known
political dissidents have been arrested in Cuba since 2002 in what was seen
as a fresh crackdown by authorities loyal to ailing Cuban leader Fidel
Castro, 78. (BosNewsLife/Associated Press)

AUTHOR: CENTER OF CHRISTIANITY SHIFTING TO SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Christians need to prepare for religious struggles ahead as the center of
Christianity shifts to the south, says historian and author Philip Jenkins.
In his book, The Next Christendom, Jenkins says by the year 2050 the heart
of Christianity will move to the Southern Hemisphere with the majority of
Christians living in Latin America and Africa. Jenkins, a professor of
history and religious studies at Penn State University, says the coming
global shift will have ramifications not only for Christians, but also the
growing Muslim world as the two religions find themselves in political and
religious clashes in the midst of world population changes. "Muslim and
Christian nations will expand adjacent to each other, and often Muslim and
Christian communities will both grow within the same country," he noted. As
those populations increase, so does the rivalry with struggles for converts
and "competing attempts to enforce moral codes by means of secular law.
Whether Muslim or Christian, religious zeal can easily turn into
fanaticism." (Maranatha Christian News Service/Associated Baptist Press)

MEXICAN CHURCHES USE 'JAMMERS' TO THWART CELL PHONE CALLS
They sound off during formal dinners, in restaurants, at the movies and even
in churches. They've become the bane of every public speaker. The dreaded
cell phones. As technology has given us the ability to reach out and touch
each other, whenever and wherever, the cell phone has become both a blessing
and a curse. It was the curse part that prompted four Roman Catholic
churches in Monterrey, Mexico, to look for ways to strike back. Church
leaders are placing cell phone jammers in their sanctuaries to keep phones
from receiving a signal while in the buildings. The size of paperback books,
the Israeli-made jammers are nestled unobtrusively among paintings and
statues. "There are still some people who don't understand that being at
mass is sharing a moment with God," said Juan José Martínez, a spokesman for
the archdiocese. "Sadly, we had no other choice but to use these little
gadgets." The ringing of cell phones is increasingly being thwarted -- from
Mexican sanctuaries and India's parliament to Tokyo theaters and commuter
trains -- by devices originally developed to help security forces avert
eavesdropping and stop phone-triggered bombs, reported the Associated Press.
At present, use of these devices is illegal in the U.S. and most Western
nations, but Mexico and many other countries have no law against them.
(Maranatha Christian News Service/Associated Baptist Press)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-01 23:17:24 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 5:32 AM

Today's Headlines:

MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE FLEE RELIGIOUS FIGHTING IN INDONESIA
ZANZIBAR POLICE ARREST 3 SUSPECTS AFTER ATTACKS ON CHURCHES
SUDANESE REBELS DEMAND SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND STATE IN DARFUR
CHURCHES IN ENGLAND CLOSING IN LARGE NUMBERS
LUTHERAN CHURCH IN FINLAND LOSES 70,000+ MEMBERS IN 4 YEARS
INNOVATIVE CHURCH IN CHICAGO SUBURB ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF YOUTHS

Today's News Stories:

MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE FLEE RELIGIOUS FIGHTING IN INDONESIA
More than 1,000 people remained in temporary accommodations last week,
afraid to return home after conflict erupted between Christians and
Muslims living in the Mamasa regency in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The
dispute arose over a law that divided Polewali Mamasa into two
separate territories. Some Muslim residents objected, saying the split
would place them in Christian-majority Mamasa. Riots broke out on
Friday, Oct. 15, between Christians supporting the bill and Muslims
opposing it. As fighting continued, residents fled their homes and
took refuge in nearby villages. The governor of West Sulawesi said
people should be encouraged to return home as the first step in
resolving the conflict. (Compass)

ZANZIBAR POLICE ARREST 3 SUSPECTS AFTER ATTACKS ON CHURCHES
Police on the small, predominately Muslim island of Zanzibar off the
coast of Tanzania have stepped up investigations and arrested three
suspects after two Catholic churches were destroyed and a small
Protestant church was set ablaze in a spate of violence in
mid-October. Roman Catholic Bishop Augustine Shao said it wasn't clear
who carried out the attacks. "We had no sour relationships with our
[Muslim] brothers and sisters. You may find one person talking against
another religion but it is not a common thing." The local Guardian
newspaper reported that the Zanzibar mufti, Sheikh Harith bin Khelef,
condemned the attacks on churches in the Unguja South region and
called on Muslims in Zanzibar to respect freedom of worship. Early
this year, tensions increased on the island when an Islamist group
held an illegal rally. Zanzibar is a generally peaceful,
semi-autonomous territory of Tanzania governed by secular political
parties. (Compass)

SUDANESE REBELS DEMAND SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND STATE IN DARFUR
Sudanese rebel leaders demanded that Islam be kept out of government
in the war-torn region of Darfur western Sudan, opening up another
potentially dangerous rift between them and the Khartoum government.
Seeking a political settlement to the 20-month-old civil conflict,
rebel leaders called for a clear division between religion and the
state in Sudan. "We are now prepared to start deliberations on the
political issues following the appeal of the international observers
and facilitators," said Mahgoud Hussein, spokesman for the rebel Sudan
Liberation Movement (SLM). "We want a clear distinction between the
state and religion. Right now in Sudan you have a situation where
Islam is given prominence over other religions. This shouldn't be so.
Even though I'm a Muslim, we want religion to be a personal thing with
every citizen having the freedom to practice what he believes in." The
rebel demand was immediately rejected by government negotiators who
insisted that mainly-Muslim northern Sudan, including Darfur, should
be governed under the principles of Islamic law. Darfur's warring
parties have been meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, for more than a week in a
bid to find a way out of a conflict which has claimed more than 70,000
lives and driven 1.5 million civilians from their homes. The rebels
launched an insurrection last year to fight for greater autonomy and
public spending for their region, alleging that Khartoum's Arab-led
regime discriminates against black populations. (WorldWide Religious
News/AFP)

CHURCHES IN ENGLAND CLOSING IN LARGE NUMBERS
While England currently allows religious freedom, that may be changing
in the minds of those who live there. Jack Shiflett is with the
Association of Baptist for World Evangelism (ABWE). He says in some
cities Asians make up about 75-percent of the population. Shiflett
says that's evident in the landscape. "It's not uncommon in East
London or in other places to see former churches that are now mosques
or temples." It's also more risky to preach the gospel. "There's a
risk of being threatened and beaten up and then turned over to the
police after the fact. So, it is a serious situation already in
England even though there is freedom of religion on every hand."
Shiflett says with the influx of foreign religions and unhealthy
churches, evangelicalism is slowly dying. "ABWE's ministry there is to
come along side the local church and to strengthen them. And, what our
primary ministry in the last 18 years has been church rescue." That
involves discipleship and evangelism training. (Mission Network News)

LUTHERAN CHURCH IN FINLAND LOSES 70,000+ MEMBERS IN 4 YEARS
The proportion of the Finnish population belonging to the country's
main religion, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church, continues to decline,
says Kimmo Kääriäinen, head of the Church Research Institute. During
the four-year period covering 2000 to 2003, a total of 70,583 people
resigned from the church. Contributing to the trend was Finland's new
religious freedom legislation that eases the process of leaving the
church as well as a new law on burial that guarantees the same prices
for grave plots for both members and non-members of the Lutheran
Church. Weddings and child baptisms in Lutheran churches also saw
gradual declines in recent years. Last year 84.1 percent of the
Finnish population -- a total of 4.39 million people -- were members
of the Finnish Evangelical-Lutheran Church. About 90 percent of young
people attended Lutheran confirmation classes. Only a small minority
of church members attend Sunday services regularly, and even
attendance at traditional Christmas and Easter services has been
declining of late. (WorldWide Religious News/Helsingin Sanomat)

INNOVATIVE CHURCH IN CHICAGO SUBURB ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF YOUTHS
An outside-the-box church ministry is touching the lives of youth in
Chicago and beyond. Each Saturday night in the suburb of Mount
Prospect, more than 400 teenagers and young adults cram into Heart and
Soul Café -- home to Souled Out Ministries (SOM) which mixes such
things as upbeat music, powerful preaching, video and dance -- all
crafted for youth, by youth. There is also a family-oriented service
on Sunday mornings. "Youth ministry is our calling. It's what we are
all about," said staff member Joe Manahan. "We want to equip kids to
see their schools as the mission fields that they are." Equipping
means that youth are mentored and in turn mentor others. Ten years ago
God gave SOM founders Ed and Cathi Basler a vision to reach youth on
an international level. Before 1994 the couple had been working
through their church to reach teenagers with the gospel. During a
period of prayer and fasting, God prompted the couple to make a major
shift in direction. They felt led to begin a separate youth church
with a heartbeat for missions. Within months they had launched SOM.
(Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-04 06:39:03 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 5:16 AM

U.S. MISSIONARY FOUND SLAIN IN HIS APARTMENT IN LATVIA
CHRISTIANS WARY AS NEW INDONESIAN PRESIDENT TAKES OFFICE
5 CHRISTIANS CHARGED WITH 'WOUNDING RELIGIOUS FEELINGS' IN INDIA
1,500 LEADERS ATTEND WORLD EVANGELIZATION FORUM IN THAILAND
TRIAL DATE SET FOR PASTOR OF MENNONITE CHURCH IN VIETNAM
MINISTRY FACILITATES 25,000 ADOPTIONS WORLDWIDE IN 60 YEARS

Today's News Stories:

U.S. MISSIONARY FOUND SLAIN IN HIS APARTMENT IN LATVIA
Police in the former Soviet republic of Latvia say an American missionary
has been found slain in his apartment in the capital, Riga. A police
spokeswoman said the man was found with a knife plunged in his chest and
what appeared to be strangulation marks around his throat. He wasn't
immediately identified. Investigators found the victim's apartment in
disarray and suspect he may have been robbed. The U.S. embassy said it was
trying to contact the victim's family. There are Mormon, Baptist and
Jehovah's Witnesses missionaries working in Latvia. Most of the country's
2.3 million residents are Lutheran, Russian Orthodox or Catholic. (WorldWide
Religious News/Associated Press)

CHRISTIANS WARY AS NEW INDONESIAN PRESIDENT TAKES OFFICE
This week's inauguration of new Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono promises to address sectarian and security issues, but there's
been a marked rise of violence against Christians, says Voice of the Martyrs
spokesman Todd Nettleton. Rebels are trying to increase their influence on a
new government by creating an administrative diversion, he says. "If the
government is less stable . . . they're less likely to take a strong against
radical Islam," Nettleton says. "For ministries that are working there,
obviously, the biggest question is safety. 'Is it safe for us to meet?' 'Is
it safe for us to do our work?' 'Is it safe for us to be here?' When you're
thinking about safety [it detracts from the ministry]."

5 CHRISTIANS CHARGED WITH 'WOUNDING RELIGIOUS FEELINGS' IN INDIA
A court in eastern India's Orissa state has charged five Christians with the
crime of "wounding the religious feelings" of Hindus after a complaint was
lodged in the state's tribal belt. The Christians were released on bail on
Thursday, Oct. 28. Lawyer Pratap Chhinchani, who will defend the five in
court, said he believed a Hindu extremist group was behind the complaint and
that the charges were false. Meanwhile, the World Hindu Council (VHP)
continued its "reconversion" drive in Orissa unhindered by local
authorities. Christians reject the term "reconversion to Hinduism" since
most tribal converts were animists before they became Christians. However,
Indian law regards tribal peoples as Hindu in origin. (Compass)

1,500 LEADERS ATTEND WORLD EVANGELIZATION FORUM IN THAILAND
"A New Vision, A New Heart and a Renewed Call" was the theme of the 2004
Forum for World Evangelization in Pattaya, Thailand, Sept. 29-Oct. 5. The
forum, hosted by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE),
drew more than 1,500 Christian leaders from nearly 130 countries to focus on
the task of global evangelism. With an emphasis on reaching the people most
in need -- children, the poor, the oppressed and abused, and those living
with disabilities -- participants were challenged to recommit themselves and
their ministries to evangelism. Prior to the event, an international
research effort identified 31 crucial issues affecting global evangelism.
Based on that research, forum leaders established issue groups to define
each issue, conduct research and collect information on ministries already
successfully engaging the concern. Paul Cedar, outgoing LCWE international
chair, and International Director David Claydon stepped down from their
posts at the end of the event. Cedar will now serve Lausanne as a senior
adviser while Claydon has been named ambassador-at-large. Rev. Douglass
Birdsall, president of Asian Access, was elected LCWE executive chair, and
Ted Yamamori, president emeritus of Food for the Hungry International, was
appointed LCWE international director. (Assist News Service)

TRIAL DATE SET FOR PASTOR OF MENNONITE CHURCH IN VIETNAM
Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang, a prominent rights activist and general secretary of
the Mennonite Church in Vietnam, is scheduled to be tried on Friday, Nov.
12, in a case that has been plagued by irregularities and inconsistencies.
Contrary to Vietnamese law and practice, authorities refused to give Quang's
wife a copy of the indictment which was turned over to the court by police
investigators more than a week ago, and they refused to give her a copy of
the court's decision to try him. She was also denied her biweekly visit with
her husband on Friday, Oct. 15, and went to the prison daily after that in
an effort to see him. She was finally told a week later that she would not
be allowed to see her husband unless she agreed to try to convince him to
admit to his "crime." Quang was arrested on June 8 on the charge of
"inciting others to resist officers of the law doing their duty." Meanwhile,
constant pressure is being placed on Mennonites in Vietnam's central
highlands. On Friday, Sept. 24, attackers destroyed a Mennonite church,
office and home of another pastor named Chinh. (Compass)

MINISTRY FACILITATES 25,000 ADOPTIONS WORLDWIDE IN 60 YEARS
An evangelical organization responsible for placing thousands of orphans
with families worldwide is celebrating 60 years of service. Bethany
Christian Services not only facilitates adoptions, but helps with a crisis
pregnancy center, other counseling and meeting humanitarian needs.
"Throughout the years we've been able to place about 25,000 children into
adoptive families," said ministry spokesman Roger Bouwma. "Of those, about
9,000 are international children. We work in 16 different countries, doing
both international adoption work and social service work." In addition to
adoptive families, Bouwma says more people are needed to support poor
families financially. (Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-10 20:34:35 UTC
Permalink
WEA Goodwill Ambassador warns about attacks on Ahmadis in Bangladesh
World Evangelical Alliance Goodwill Ambassador Johan Candelin, Finland,
today warned about possible upcoming attacks against Ahmadis in Bangladesh.
Says Candelin, “We must, as Christians, defend religious freedom for
everyone. There is now very dangerous information about upcoming attacks on
Ahmadis in Bangladesh.” The Ahmadis (about 100,000 in Bangladesh) do not
necessarily believe that Mohammed was the last prophet. This has created a
very hostile attitude in some Islamic groups. Last Friday 11 Ahmadis were
seriously hurt in an attack 50 miles north of the capital Dhaka. The
attitude among the majority population is changing more and more in a
negative direction against the Ahmadis. In a rally in Dhaka in January,
about 5000 people rallied against them. “In a country with great economic
and political problems, it is easy to find a group that will be labeled as
dangerous and bad. This is now what seems to be happening to the Ahmadis in
Bangladesh," says Candelin. World Evangelical Alliance calls on religious
freedom defenders from all backgrounds to contact the embassies and
authorities of Bangladesh and to ask them to protect all religious
minorities according to their constitution and agreements signed by the
country.

~~

Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 6:06 AM

BOMBS EXPLODE AT 2 IRAQI CHURCHES, KILLING AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE

MAOIST REBEL THREATS FORCE MISSIONARY COUPLE TO LEAVE NEPAL

CONFERENCE ATTENDEES URGED TO STAND UP FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS

CHINESE OFFICIALS CLAIM TO BE OPEN TO CHANGE IN RELIGIOUS POLICIES

PASTORS REQUEST TRAINING IN HURRICANE-BATTERED GRENADA

1,100+ COME TO CHRIST VIA CONTROVERSIAL BOOTH AT ARIZONA STATE FAIR

Today's News Stories:

BOMBS EXPLODE AT 2 IRAQI CHURCHES, KILLING AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE
Bombs exploded at two churches in central Baghdad at about 6:30 p.m. local
time Monday, Nov. 8, killing at least three people, injuring dozens and
severely damaging both facilities. The two explosions took place less than
10 minutes apart. St. George's Church in Dora, Baghdad, which is part of the
Assyrian Church of the East, was badly damaged by crates of explosives left
outside the church. A car bomb was detonated outside St. Behnam's Church on
the outskirts of Dora which belongs to the Syriac Orthodox Church. At least
three people were killed and more than 52 injured in the two explosions.
Hours later a suicide car bomber killed five policemen outside the hospital
where victims of the two church bombings were being treated.

A wave of bombings came as U.S. forces launched a massive attack to capture
the rebel-held city of Falluja, west of Baghdad. Wilfred Wong, Jubilee
Campaign's researcher and parliamentary Officer, said, "A few months ago
when Falluja was attacked by U.S. forces, Muslim clerics there said if the
Americans attack them they should take revenge against Iraqi Christians
because Americans are [viewed as] Christians." This was the latest in a
series of attacks on Iraq's tiny Christian community -- at least 14 people
have died in the past three months. Iraq's estimated 650,000 Christians --
mostly Chaldeans, Assyrians and Catholics -- make up about 3 percent of the
country's population. (Jubilee Campaign/Christian Freedom
International/Associated Press/BBC)

MAOIST REBEL THREATS FORCE MISSIONARY COUPLE TO LEAVE NEPAL
Threats from Maoist rebels in Nepal have forced a Baptist missionary couple
to evacuate the country, says Jim Long of the Association of Baptists for
World Evangelism "We've decided for safety reasons to move them out of Nepal
for at least six months [until] things settle down," he said. "The Maoist
activity has heated up, and they're targeting places in the Katmandu valley
which has not been true in the past." Long says the rebels have demanded
money from the couple. The missionaries have had a successful outreach in
the area, making their departure especially disheartening. "They were
involved in a church planting ministry," Long says. "We've seen the church
grow from a very small nucleus of people to a pretty big congregation. They
have already established a daughter church. And they've been responsible for
starting an orphanage." (Mission Network News)

CONFERENCE ATTENDEES URGED TO STAND UP FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS
About 1,000 delegates to the International Christian Human Rights Conference
in London Saturday, Nov. 6, heard speakers from around the world tell about
their experiences with persecution. They were challenged not to stand in
silence after hearing powerful accounts of the persecuted church. Delegates
listened to speakers from China, Colombia, Eritrea and Sri Lanka tell them
about the work they do and the persecution they endure. Godfrey Yogarajah,
general secretary of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri
Lanka, said that in the last year 140 churches have been closed down. He
also highlighted the danger posed to religious freedom by proposed
anti-conversion legislation and constitutional reforms to make Buddhism the
state religion. The delegates were challenged to respond to the needs of the
persecuted church by saying together the pledge: "I pray that, as a follower
of Christ, I will seek to comfort the persecuted and those who mourn. I will
remember those in prison as if I were in prison and those who suffer for
their faith as if I suffer. I will work for justice and truth. I will not
stand in silence. I will tell someone else." (Religion Today/Assist News
Service)

CHINESE OFFICIALS CLAIM TO BE OPEN TO CHANGE IN RELIGIOUS POLICIES
Chinese officials meeting at an international conference on religion and law
in Beijing Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 18-19, announced that they were open to
changes in religious policy. However, Ji Wenyuan, deputy director of the
State Administration of Religious Affairs, said China's unique needs must be
assessed first, and "social stability and harmony" must be the basis for any
new laws. Ji's cautious admonition of "change, but not yet" was borne out by
a wave of arrests and raids carried out on Christian property in recent
months. One ministry reported a sharp increase in persecution throughout
September and October with a "large number of arrests." One Christian worker
was beaten to death after being arrested by police. Four printing presses
were shut down within the space of a month when police discovered they were
printing illegal Christian materials. However, when U.S. Secretary of State
Colin Powell met with government ministers on Monday, Oct. 25, they assured
him that China was willing to reopen the dialogue on human rights abuses.
(Compass)

PASTORS REQUEST TRAINING IN HURRICANE-BATTERED GRENADA
The Caribbean island nation of Grenada, hit hard by Hurricane Ivan, is now
the focus of pastoral training in the form of a Frontline Shepherd's
conference. In September, 39 people lost their lives and 90 percent of the
homes on the island were damaged by the storm. That has left many people
feeling hopeless, but Christians say now is the time to make a difference,
explains David Shibley of Global Advance. "We have been invited to come and
conduct a Frontline Shepherd's conference in Grenada, and we have been
assured that almost every Protestant minister in the nation . . . will be in
attendance," he said. "God's Word clearly says that He desires and gives to
us a future and a hope. This is the message that we're going to bring first
to the pastors of Grenada [and their families]. The hearts of the people and
the hearts of the pastors are hungry and open, perhaps as never before."
(Mission Network News)

1,100+ COME TO CHRIST VIA CONTROVERSIAL BOOTH AT ARIZONA STATE FAIR
A Phoenix-based pro-family law firm says a recent First Amendment victory
has helped further the spread of the gospel. Arizona State Fair officials
had refused to rent exhibitor space to Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship
International, claiming that too many people had found their speech
"personally offensive" at the previous year's fair. At the same time, the
fair granted space to other groups that included profanity and blatant
sexual references in their messages. But as Alliance Defense Fund attorney
Elizabeth Murray points out, officials with the fair reversed their decision
after being accused of suppressing free speech. "The Alliance Defense Fund
(ADF) was able to send a letter to state fair officials, arguing that the
First Amendment does not allow them to discriminate based on the content of
the speech," the attorney explained. After officials were informed they were
acting unconstitutionally, the group was permitted to rent a booth at this
year's fair. A spokesman for the southern Arizona chapter of the fellowship
reports that 1,130 people indicated their desire to become Christians as a
result of the group's presence at the fair this year. The ADF attorney said
that the large number of people who stopped by the group's booth
demonstrated that the charge of the Christian message's being offensive was
baseless. (Religion Today/AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-18 11:02:58 UTC
Permalink
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 298 - Wed 17 Nov 2004

-------------------------------------------------
IVORY COAST : CHRISTIANS ANXIOUS AS WAR THREATENS
-------------------------------------------------

When mostly Muslim rebels (backed with foreign funds and arms)
seized control of northern Ivory Coast (IC) in 2002, Christians,
southerners and government supporters fled south for their lives.
As those fleeing included most of northern IC's doctors, nurses,
professionals, administrators and school teachers, living
conditions in the north have deteriorated markedly under rebel
control. Of great concern are reports from MSF (Doctors without
Borders) and the UN that AIDS has increased markedly in the north
of IC as desperate girls prostitute themselves to survive. Having
abandoned the government of national unity, the rebels declared in
mid October their refusal to negotiate further or disarm.

On 4 November, President Laurent Gbagbo launched a surprise air
raid on rebel strongholds in the north, attempting to defeat them
militarily and re-unify the country. When nine French peacekeepers
in rebel territory were killed in an IC air raid on 6 November,
France immediately responded by destroying the two IC helicopter
gunships used in the raid. France then struck pre-emptively to
'neutralise' IC air power, destroying all IC's air force planes and
the airport tarmac. When French tanks then headed for the
Presidential Palace, government supporters streamed into the
streets and created a human shield around it. Some government
supporters furiously attacked French interests. Whilst no non-
African died in the protests, French soldiers killed up to 100 and
wounded some 1,000 protesting government supporters.

Though France, the former colonial power in IC, is acting as
peacekeeper and peace mediator, it is not neutral. Intelligence
agencies have long believed that France would like to see or even
engineer a coup in IC. President Gbagbo is opposed to the pro-
France policies of IC, believing they are not in IC's best
interests. Gbagbo's rival, A D Ouattara, the president of the RDR
party to which the rebels are aligned, implemented many pro-France
initiatives when he was IC Prime Minister. France would benefit
economically if Ouattara were back in power. What we have today is
a still uncertain future, with a three-way stand off between the
IC, France and the rebels.

IC has a huge population of immigrants from Guinea, Mali and
Burkina Faso, its poorer northern Islamic neighbours. The
possibility of the rebels' aims succeeding causes IC's Christians
great anxiety, as all these migrants would be naturalised, making
IC instantly a Muslim majority nation. Then, by the strength of
their votes, the constitution could be amended and A D Ouattara
elected president. (Presently he is barred from the presidency due
to issues of nationality.) If that happens, IC will never be the
same again, but will become a reflection of its northern Islamic
neighbours. This scenario does not sit well with Ivorians – Muslim,
Christian and traditional religionists – who regard their liberty
as precious.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* God to expose the plots and schemes of corrupt, self-serving
politicians who would destabilise a free and prosperous nation
in pure self-interest.

* great wisdom for all IC leaders, especially President Gbagbo
who is a Christian; may he draw close to God in this crisis, and
emerge more dependent on God than ever before. 'Some nations
boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the Lord our
God.' (Psalm 20:7 NLT) 'The horses are prepared for battle, but
the victory belongs to the Lord.' (Proverbs 21:31 NLT)

* Christians in Ivory Coast to be drawn to pray, and may they
receive wisdom, courage and radiant power from the Holy Spirit
for visible Christ-likeness in the midst of a society filled
with hostility, fear, anger and confusion. 'Godliness helps
people all through life, while the evil are destroyed by their
wickedness.' (Proverbs 13:6)

* God to be preparing the Church in Ivory Coast to be an
instrument of grace, reconciliation and healing.

* Almighty God to rescue Ivory Coast, and for justice and liberty
to prevail across the whole nation.

~~~~

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE:
------------------------------------------------------------

IVORY COAST CHRISTIANS ANXIOUS AS WAR THREATENS

The situation in Ivory Coast (IC) is extremely volatile. IC has an
enormous population of immigrants from its poorer northern Islamic
neighbours (Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso). The foreign-backed,
mostly Muslim rebels who have seized the north of the country want
all these migrants to be naturalised so that IC would instantly
become a Muslim majority nation. Then, by the strength of their
votes, the constitution could be amended and A D Ouattara elected
president. (He is presently barred from the presidency due to
issues of nationality.) Ouattara's political campaign, based on
race and religion, has polarised Ivory Coast. France, the former
colonial power in IC, acts as peacekeeper and peace mediator. But
France is not neutral, with a strong preference for the pro-French
policies of Ouattara. Christians are very anxious about the future
of their nation.

----------------------------------------------------
Previous RLPs may be viewed at
http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/
If you downloaded this message from a website or it
was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions
by sending an empty e-mail to <join-rl-***@xc.org>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty
Prayer List <rl-***@crossnet.org.au>
----------------------------------------------------

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this
RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray
specifically and regularly for religious liberty
issues, and in particular to uphold the Church
where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner
of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.
Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-21 10:00:06 UTC
Permalink
Amnesty International
The Wire - November 2004
Unfair food distribution in Zimbabwe means millions of people may go hungry
Millions of people in Zimbabwe are going hungry as access to food continues
to diminish. Until mid-2004 international food aid programmes provided much
needed relief. But international food aid stopped when the government of
Zimbabwe told the UN and donors that the country had had a "bumper harvest"
in 2004 and no longer needed assistance.
The government's claims have been widely discredited. According to the
Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee, which comprises UN agencies,
non-governmental organizations and government departments, at least 2.3
million rural people will need food assistance before next April's harvest.
Some 2.5 million people in urban areas are also expected to have difficulty
accessing adequate food.

Stories of growing hunger and food insecurity in Zimbabwe emerge almost
daily. Rather than fulfil its obligation to ensure the right to food for
everyone under its jurisdiction, the government of Zimbabwe is manipulating
the country's food shortages for political purposes and to punish political
opponents.

During the armed struggle for independence in the 1970s, the minority
government of Ian Smith deliberately withheld food from areas in an attempt
to starve out nationalist combatants. The manipulation of food for political
ends is a tactic that the newly independent government, headed by Robert
Mugabe, was to employ again in 1984 in Matebeleland. Hoping to prevent a few
hundred armed fighters from accessing food, stores were closed and relief
aid to a drought-stricken region was stopped. Thousands of civilians
suffered. Today, Zimbabweans are facing the same threat.

The cessation of most international food aid distribution has left millions
of people dependent on grain distributed by the government-controlled Grain
Marketing Board (GMB), which has a near monopoly on the trade in and
distribution of maize – the staple food in Zimbabwe. But it is unclear
whether the GMB has sufficient stocks to meet the country's grain needs. The
GMB also has a history of discriminatory distribution of the grain it
controls. Those who do not support the ruling party, the Zimbabwe African
National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), have regularly been denied
access to GMB grain. At elections, government officials and supporters have
publicly threatened people's access to food if they do not vote ZANU-PF.

Parliamentary elections are due to be held in Zimbabwe in March 2005, the
height of the "hungry season". Given the GMBÂ’s history of discriminatory
distribution, AI is gravely concerned about further violations of the right
to adequate food and the right to freedom from discrimination in the run-up
to the 2005 parliamentary elections.

Discrimination and the manipulation of Zimbabwe's food crisis for political
ends are among the issues covered in the report, Zimbabwe: Power and
hunger – violations of the right to food (AFR 46/026/2004), launched in
South Africa on15 October, World Food Day. To listen to an audioclip of an
interview with a Zimbabwean shopkeeper go to
http://emedia.amnesty.org/zimbabwe-111004-eng.ram


Take action!

Please write to the Zimbabwe authorities calling on them to ensure that all
persons under ZimbabweÂ’s jurisdiction have access to adequate food and that
the distribution of all government-controlled food is made transparent and
open to public scrutiny.

Send appeals to:

His Excellency
The President
Hon Robert G Mugabe
Office of the President
Private Bag 7700
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: 00 263 4 708 820 / 708 211
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13700+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-25 00:11:28 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 8:46 AM


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AZERBAIJAN POLICE RAID SERVICE, INTERROGATE CHURCH LEADERS

NATIVE MISSIONARIES IN PAKISTAN REPORT PERSECUTION, GROWTH

CHURCHES IN KOSOVO GROW RAPIDLY WHILE REACHING OUT TO MUSLIMS

MINISTRIES UNITE TO HOST MEN'S EVANGELISM EVENTS IN HAITI

SURVEY: U.S. DONORS GIVE PRIORITY TO DOMESTIC POVERTY RELIEF

Today's News Stories:

AZERBAIJAN POLICE RAID SERVICE, INTERROGATE CHURCH LEADERS
Police in Gyanja, Azerbaijan, raided a worship service being held by a
registered Seventh-day Adventist congregation on Saturday, Nov. 20,
arrested and interrogated two church leaders, and fined and threatened
one with deportation. Fifteen police officers raided the service at
about 11 a.m. and then reportedly brought in a film crew from the
Azerbaijan News Service (ANS) television to record the event.
Adventist leader Rustam Akhmedov, one of those fined in the raid, says
he was especially upset that the crew interviewed children despite the
protests of parents. Firdusi Kerimov of the State Committee for Work
with Religious Organizations denied suggestions that the raid
represented harassment of the Adventist community. "Everything was
done in accordance with the law," he insisted. (WorldWide Religious
News/Forum 18 News Service)

* HCJB World Radio is bringing words of hope and encouragement to
people across Afghanistan via radio. Together with partners, Christian
broadcasts go out via AM in three of the country's major languages,
Turkmen, Uzbek and Southern Uzbek.

NATIVE MISSIONARIES IN PAKISTAN REPORT PERSECUTION, GROWTH
A native gospel worker with an indigenous ministry in Pakistan's
Potohar region was kidnapped in October and held for three days,
suffering repeated beatings and deprivation of food as his captors
tried to force him to renounce his faith. Ministry leaders in the
region reported that local police refused to listen to his complaints
or to seek out and punish his kidnappers. Several native missionaries
working in other isolated Islamic villages in rural areas of Pakistan
were also threatened and beaten in September by those who opposed
their work. Reports indicate that certain radical Muslims and rogue
police officers have actively and sometimes violently opposed
Christians. Despite these episodes, churches in Pakistan continue to
grow as more and more people turn to Christ. Native missionaries are
taking full advantage of the relative freedom they currently enjoy,
distributing Bibles and Bible portions by the hundreds to spiritually
hungry individuals. In one hitherto unreached region, gospel workers
recently gave more than 900 Bibles or portions to those who requested
them. In much of the country, churches are becoming crowded and more
people choose to follow Christ. (Christian Aid Mission)

CHURCHES IN KOSOVO GROW RAPIDLY WHILE REACHING OUT TO MUSLIMS
The United States invaded Kosovo five years ago to bring freedom to
Serbia. Today Protestant churches there are growing, but Christians
who are sharing Christ with the nation's Muslim majority face a
challenge. Brothers Artur and Driton Krasniqi, who pastor the
100-member Fellowship of the Lord's People in Pristina said the
changes in Kosovo are paramount. "In the history of Kosovo there has
never been such freedom as today," Artur told Charisma magazine.
Driton, who like his brother is not yet 30 years of age, added: "Under
Serbian rule [until 1999] there were seven Albanian Protestant
churches in Kosovo, all suffering from ongoing persecution. Today
there are some 25 churches and church plants, and there is freedom,
even though it is not perfect. There were 150 to 200 believers. Now
there are at least 10 times more." Church growth has been significant
in Kosovo, but is still below expectations, Driton said. "In the face
of war, the religious interest peaked, but now money -- or rather, the
lack of money -- is topmost on people's minds," he said. (Religion
Today/AgapePress)

MINISTRIES UNITE TO HOST MEN'S EVANGELISM EVENTS IN HAITI
Global missions and relief organization New Directions International
(NDI) is partnering with Promise Keepers (PK), the international men's
ministry, to produce a series of prayer events and men's meetings in
Haiti Dec. 9-12. More than 25,000 are expected to attend the "Haiti at
the Cross" spiritual enrichment conference, being held in conjunction
with the nation's bicentennial celebrations. The conference will take
place in the National Stadium in the capital city of Port-Au-Prince
along with other events in surrounding areas. NDI Chief Executive
Officer J.L. Williams will be a key speaker, along with PK President
Tom Fortson. "God is doing a great work in Haiti," said Williams. "To
change a nation you have to change the men. We want Promise Keepers to
help change the men of Haiti-especially those with influence and in
the business community." (New Directions International/Promise
Keepers)

SURVEY: U.S. DONORS GIVE PRIORITY TO DOMESTIC POVERTY RELIEF
Compassion International has released the details of a study conducted
by Barna Research showing that U.S. donors support domestic poverty
relief over international relief by an eight-to-one margin. Compassion
President Wess Stafford says Americans believe that governments in
Third World countries should step in to alleviate the problems. "I
still think Americans don't fully get it," he said. "They don't fully
understand the scope of the problems that these developing nations are
facing. People in poverty are lacking resources, basic resources that
we take for granted that we're so blessed with." Compassion, a child
developmental agency, is working to make a difference in a world where
nearly 30,000 die children every day due to malnutrition, Stafford
says. "Whenever anything goes wrong in a developing nation, it goes
really wrong. There's no safety net -- nothing from the government
that can step in and help people out in very difficult times."
(Mission Network News)
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13800+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-02 22:54:03 UTC
Permalink
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 300 - Wed 01 Dec 2004

-------------------------------------------------------
NEPAL: MAOIST REBEL ACTIVITY IMPACTS CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
-------------------------------------------------------

(By Anneta Vyssotskaia)

Nepal is the world's only Hindu state, with 86% of its some 26.5
million people practising Hinduism. Nepal is one of the worldÂ’s
poorest nations, with 42% of the population living below the
poverty line, and 45% are illiterate. Political reform in 1990
created a multi-party democracy within a constitutional monarchy.

The Christian Church has existed in Nepal for only 50 years,
although attempts were made to bring the Word of God to Nepal in
the 19th Century. William Carey translated the New Testament into
Nepali in 1821, and the whole Bible was finally translated in 1914.

The Church there owes much to Nepali and expatriate Christians who
prayed and witnessed in India before Nepal was opened up. They then
entered the country as the nucleus of an indigenous Church in the
hands of Nepalis from the start. Indian Christians also came to
Nepal as missionaries, and still do. Nepali former soldiers
converted while in the Indian and British Armies have played a
significant part too. Some of the first Christians were imprisoned
for their faith, which led to more conversions in prison.

The Church in Nepal has grown steadily, and by some estimates
evangelical Christians are now almost 2% of the population. Though
there has been more religious freedom since 1991, proselytising is
still illegal. Christian publishing is permitted.

Maoist rebels have been a serious problem since 1996. They are
mainly targeting Nepal's political regime, but increasingly
Christian churches and organisations are embroiled in the conflict.
In June, those who claimed responsibility for an explosion in a
Catholic institution said 'all Christians are spies'. Maoists
reportedly attack Christian schools, orphanages and houses in
search of boys as conscripts for their army. Christian work has
become more hazardous. Christian Aid recently reported a national
missionary team was captured in a remote mountain village, but was
later released. Some expatriate and national missionaries have
reportedly had written orders to leave the areas where they work.
Travel for evangelism and to conduct Christian seminars is
increasingly dangerous, or paralysed due to Maoists calling
transport strikes or blocking the roads in various places at
different times.

CHRISTIANS IN NEPAL REQUEST PRAYER SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* protection for all Christian groups and workers from Maoist
rebels, and especially for young boys they want for their army.

* safety of Christian workers, especially those who have to travel.

* the King and government to be encouraged to talk with the
Maoists, grant elections and re-write the constitution to care
more for the poor and under-privileged; for peace in Nepal.

* wisdom and good witness by believers.

'But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that
through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the
Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely
to his heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.'
(2 Timothy 4:17-18 NIV)

~~~~

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE:
------------------------------------------------------------

MAOIST REBEL ACTIVITY IN NEPAL IMPACTS CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Nepal is a Hindu state, with 86% of its some 26.5 million people
practising Hinduism. Since 1990 it has been a democracy within a
constitutional monarchy. The Church in Nepal has grown steadily
over its 50 years. There is a degree of religious freedom, but
proselytising is still illegal. Maoist rebels, a serious problem,
mainly target Nepal's political regime, but increasingly Christian
churches and groups are embroiled in the conflict. Some rebels have
said 'all Christians are spies'. Maoists attack Christian centres
in search of boys to conscript into their army. Travel for ministry
is hazardous due to rebel activity. A national missionary team was
captured in a remote mountain village, but later released. Some
Christian workers have reportedly had written orders to leave the
areas where they minister. Please pray for peace in Nepal, the
outreach of the Church, and protection of Christian workers.

-------------------

Anneta Vyssotskaia is a guest writer for RLP.
----------------------------------------------------
Previous RLPs may be viewed at
http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/
If you downloaded this message from a website or it
was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions
by sending an empty e-mail to <join-rl-***@xc.org>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty
Prayer List <rl-***@crossnet.org.au>
----------------------------------------------------

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this
RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray
specifically and regularly for religious liberty
issues, and in particular to uphold the Church
where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner
of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(13900 articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/ November 2004)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-08 21:18:28 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 7:09 AM

TAIWANESE SHORT-TERM MISSION VOLUNTEER DIES IN THAILAND

INDIGENOUS MINISTRY TAKES GOSPEL TO IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA

ZIMBABWE OUTREACH MOVES AHEAD DESPITE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGES

CHRISTMAS ON THE WAY TO ORPHANS IN FORMER SOVIET UNION

GERMAN PROTESTANT, CATHOLIC CHURCHES CONTINUE TO LOSE GROUND

INTERACTIVE WEB CHURCH REOPENS IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND BY VISITORS

Today's News Stories:

TAIWANESE SHORT-TERM MISSION VOLUNTEER DIES IN THAILAND Wu Pei-jen, 29, a
member of Pa-ter Presbyterian Church in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung county,
was killed in a car accident the evening of Sunday, Dec. 5, while serving as
a short-term volunteer in Thailand. Also seriously injured in the crash were
another church member, Chiou Chi-ming, and the resident missionary, Rev.
Wang Jen-nae. The three were returning from a service project in a
mountainous area near Chiang-mai when the accident occurred. Pei-jen, the
first and only Christian in her immediate family, was on a two-month mission
to Thailand, and planned to return home at the end of December. Chi-ming
suffered internal injuries and was expected to remain in intensive care for
a week. Jen-nae returned home after undergoing surgery.
(Taiwan Church News)

INDIGENOUS MINISTRY TAKES GOSPEL TO IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA War has caused
tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee to neighboring Syria. Native
missionaries are seizing the opportunity to reach these mostly Muslim
refugees with physical aid and spiritual truth. Syria first officially
opened its borders to Iraqi refugees in 2003. By the end of that year, an
estimated 40,000 Iraqis had streamed into Syria, and thousands more have
continued to come since. Though some have been sent back, many stayed and
are trying to make lives for themselves. Yet most families are in great
poverty, with no access to medical care or education. One indigenous
ministry is reaching out to these refugees as missionaries now work among
1,000 Iraqi refugee families in Syria, meeting basic needs while sharing
Christ. They provide food and schooling for children of refugees. A clinic
also gives medical care to those who cannot afford it. Many Muslim refugees
have been drawn to the Lord through this ministry. Regular Christian
meetings in refugee communities are well attended. Thousands of Arabic
Bibles have been distributed. In addition to Iraqi refugees, the
missionaries work among the Sudanese, many of whom have fled the
decades-long civil war in their native country. Two Sudanese refugees who
became Christians went on to attend a six-month Bible training school.
(Christian Aid Mission)

ZIMBABWE OUTREACH MOVES AHEAD DESPITE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGES Christian World
Outreach's Onais Tapera says Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's government
is causing trouble for the mission which works in pastoral training,
leadership development and AIDS orphans in the country. Mugabe's
administration is clamping down on help from foreigners, and there are
shortages of basic supplies within Zimbabwe. In spite of the difficulties,
Tapera says there is a strong link between child outreach and pastoral
training. "In our last camp, we had about 60 children and 37 of them
received Christ as their personal Savior," he said. "I'm working with one of
the local pastors to find ways to disciple these children because where they
live, they don't have churches." (Mission Network News)

CHRISTMAS ON THE WAY TO ORPHANS IN FORMER SOVIET UNION Christians in the
former Soviet Union's Commonwealth of Independent States are working to
spread the gospel in through a program called, "Christmas for Orphans." Tom
MacAdam of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) estimates that
700,000 orphans live in the region, and many have never heard the gospel.
"We're giving [national believers] an opportunity to go into the orphanages
and conduct a special evangelistic Christmas programs for the kids," he
said. The goal of the program, officially launched by SGA last year, is to
"provide each child in the orphanage with a wrapped gift, some Russian
language Christian literature or a children's Bible and some warm clothing
items." SGA aims to reach 10,000 children in about 50 orphanages this
Christmas. MacAdam said the ministry's ultimate desire is to see these
children come to Christ. SGA also hopes to open the way for members of the
local evangelical churches to visit these children on a regular basis,
providing Bible lessons and offering opportunities for them to grow in their
faith. (Mission Network News)

GERMAN PROTESTANT, CATHOLIC CHURCHES CONTINUE TO LOSE GROUND Church
membership in Germany continues to decline, dropping by more than 1 percent
in 2003, indicate statistics published by the headquarters of the mainline
Protestant churches in Hanover and the Roman Catholic Church in Bonn. The
losses are mainly due to the aging population as the number of deaths
continues to exceed the number of infant baptisms. But there are also
significant numbers of dissatisfied or nominal church members who cancel
their membership -- mainly to avoid church tax. In 2003 the Protestant
churches suffered membership losses of 1.6 percent, dropping by 375,000 to
25.8 million. The Catholic Church shrunk by 1.1 percent to 26.2 million. In
addition to these major churches, Orthodox churches have 1.1 million
citizens on their registers. About 900,000 inhabitants belong to evangelical
and charismatic churches such as Baptists, Methodists and Pentecostals.
About a third of Germany's 82.5 million inhabitants are Protestant and a
third are Catholic. The rest belong to other religions or are unaffiliated.
Church affiliation has dwindled significantly since the reunification of
Germany in 1990. (IDEA)

INTERACTIVE WEB CHURCH REOPENS IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND BY VISITORS Church of
Fools, the world's first 3D online church, has reopened as a place for
private prayer and reflection. Visitors to churchoffools.com choose a
cartoon "double," then walk around, kneel, pray, shout "hallelujah," play a
hymn, hear a sermon or even ring the church bells. However, they will not
see -- or be seen by -- other visitors to the church. Initially conceived as
a three-month experiment, the fully interactive version of Church of Fools
was launched last May and ran until September. "Since our pilot project
ended, we have continued the interactive part of the church in 2D -- through
conventional chat rooms and bulletin boards," explains project leader Simon
Jenkins. "But the demand to reopen the 3D environment has been
overwhelming." Jenkins is hopeful that visitors will use the church for
personal reflection and prayer. The project, developed by the U.K. web
magazine shipoffools.com, attracted tens of thousands of visitors from
around the world during its pilot phase -- more than half of them less than
30 years old and 60 percent male. (Churchoffools.com)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000 articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-12 07:38:05 UTC
Permalink
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 301 - Wed 08 Dec 2004

CRITICAL ISSUES IN SRI LANKA & UKRAINE

'The power of prayer can change for the better, not only the life of a
person, but the fate of a country.' Hryhorii Komendant, President of the
All-Ukraine Union of the Association of Evangelical Baptists (26 Nov 2004).

-----------------------------------------------
SRI LANKA: PERSECUTION CONTINUES; JHU BLACKMAIL
-----------------------------------------------

Sri Lankan churches continue to face persecution by Buddhist nationalists.
The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) reports
that the AoG church in Yakkala has been attacked several times recently and
the pastor is struggling to hold his frightened flock together. NCEASL also
reports that on
9 November a hand grenade was thrown at the Bethel Children's Home, run by
the Christian Revival Crusade in Batticaloa and housing about 50 children.
Thankfully no one was injured. On 2 December, the 'Believers' Church' in the
village of Kammalawa in Kuliyapitiya came under attack when a crowd of over
100 threatened the pastor with death if he did not stop holding worship
services and close down the church by Sunday. Later that night the church
building was damaged by stone-throwers. Praise God the police responded
promptly and have arrested three suspects.

Sri Lanka's Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a political party made up of
Buddhist monks, is proposing changes to the Sri Lankan Constitution. They
want Buddhism declared the official State religion and the conversion of
Buddhists prohibited. Spreading other forms of worship amongst Buddhists
would be banned. The JHU is also demanding government action on its
Anti-Conversion Bill. The JHU is threatening that if the government does not
meet its three specific demands by 12 December they will start a fast-unto-
death. December 12 is the first anniversary of the death of their champion,
the outspoken Buddhist nationalist, Venerable Soma Thero. His death from
heart failure in Russia in December 2003 led to an eruption of Buddhist rage
and violence against churches. There is great anxiety in the Christian
community that the current JHU action may lead to renewed angry Buddhist
nationalism and anti-Christian violence this Christmas.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR

* the Holy Spirit to give Sri Lankan pastors divine grace and wisdom, and
Sri Lankan believers strong faith, unity, grace, courage and prayerful
hearts.

* God to give the Sri Lankan government a strong resolve to uphold religious
freedom for all.

* God to protect the Sri Lankan Church against the schemes of those who
desire and seek their harm; may peace and freedom reign.

'Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory – for all its strength it
cannot save you. We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help
us, protecting us like a shield.' Ps 33:17,20. NLT


----------------------------------
UKRAINE: A CHANCE TO MODEL JUSTICE
----------------------------------

On Sunday 21 November, Ukrainians went to the polls to elect a President.
The candidates in the second round run-off were Viktor Yanukovych and Viktor
Yushchenko. While an exit poll had Yushchenko winning the contest 54 to 43
percent, the official result gave the victory to Yanukovych by 49.4 to 46.7
percent. Russia's President Putin actually congratulated Yanukovych for his
win before the results were even announced. Belarus' dictator Lukashenka
also congratulated Yanukovych on his win. Yushchenko's supporters poured
into the streets in an 'Orange Revolution' to protest the injustice. The
courts have now found that the poll was marred by widespread and extravagant
fraud, engineered by Ukraine's corrupt power brokers. Yanukovych is their
man, and Yushchenko, the anti- corruption campaigner, freedom advocate and
reformer, is their nightmare.

Throughout the 'Orange Revolution' Ukrainian evangelicals have faithfully
prayed, and God alone has kept Ukraine from bloodshed. He has heard the
prayers of the faithful Ukrainian believers who now ask us to join them in
prayer as there are many bridges yet to cross. A fresh poll will be held on
26 December. However, the outgoing president, Leonid Kuchma, now wants to
amend the constitution to weaken the president's powers, thus ensuring his
power broker allies in parliament can retain control when he leaves. To
challenge the stranglehold these pro-Soviet power brokers have, the
Ukrainian opposition had to unite behind one man of integrity, and the
people had to publicly support him. If Ukraine's peaceful 'Orange
Revolution' succeeds, it could become a model for other nations in the grip
of corrupt pro-Soviet dictators, in particular Belarus which has a
presidential election in 2005.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* peace to reign in Ukraine, and for 'justice [to] roll on like a river'
(Amos 5:24), bringing hope to other nations and glory to God.

Please note the 26 December poll date in your diary and pray that day for
the people of Ukraine, that the Spirit of peace will consume all their fears
and selfish ambitions, and impart to them a deep heart's desire for
fairness, social harmony and godliness, for the sake of God's Church and HIS
gospel message in that nation. And may the Lord's will be done.

~~~~

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE:
------------------------------------------------------------

CHRISTIANS FACING CRITICAL ISSUES IN SRI LANKA & IN UKRAINE

In Sri Lanka, the JHU, a political party made up of Buddhist monks, is
proposing amendments to the constitution, enshrining Buddhism as the
official state religion and prohibiting the conversion of Buddhists. The
monks are also threatening to start a fast-unto- death on 12 December if the
government has not met their demands about the JHU's proposed
Anti-Conversion Bill.

Ukrainians return to the polls on 26 December to vote again on the
presidential run-off between the pro-Soviet Victor Yanukovych and the
anti-corruption campaigner, freedom advocate and reformer, Victor
Yushchenko. Christians in Ukraine ask us to join them in praying that peace
and justice will prevail. In the words of Hryhorii Komendant (26 Nov 2004),
President of the All-Ukraine Union of the Association of Evangelical
Baptists: 'The power of prayer can change for the better, not only the life
of a person, but the fate of a country.'

----------------------------------------------------
Previous RLPs may be viewed at http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help
individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty
issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering
persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and
convenor of the Australian EA RLC. Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored
this message.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000 articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-15 08:53:32 UTC
Permalink
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 302 - Wed 15 Dec 2004

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: for one of China's most senior and
prominent house-church patriarchs, Pastor ZHANG RONGLIANG
(53), who was arrested in Xuzhai village, Zhenghou city, Henan
province, on 1 December. A severe diabetic, his condition and
whereabouts are unknown. Zhang's family are in hiding, with
the government known to be hunting his wife and sons, as well
as other leaders from the 10 million-strong China for Christ
house-church network. There is great concern for Pastor
Zhang's safety in this extremely tense situation.


* THREAT OF CHRISTMAS TERROR IN INDONESIA & IRAQ

----------------------------------------------------
INDONESIA: CHURCHES ATTACKED; SECURITY BOOST ORDERED
----------------------------------------------------

On Sunday 12 December, two Protestant churches in Central Sulawesi,
Eastern Indonesia, were attacked during evening worship. The
Anugerah Church in Palu City was attacked by four men on two
motorbikes who rode up to the church enabling their gunman to open
fire from the road before they sped away. Windows were shattered,
and two people in the back row were rushed to Undata Hospital with
serious gunshot wounds. Minutes later a bomb exploded only 500m
away at the entrance of Immanuel Church. A guard was seriously
injured, and several worshippers were hospitalised suffering shock.

Palu's police chief has since been dismissed for alleged negligence
in not following a directive to boost police protection at places
of worship ahead of the Christmas and New Year period. Provincial
police chief Aryanto Sutadi has ordered that all churches be
guarded by two uniformed and two plain-clothed policemen. The
concern is that provocateurs may try to destabilise the presidency
of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono by re-igniting conflict in Central
Sulawesi.

To prevent religious violence and acts of terror over Christmas and
the New Year, President Yudhoyono has ordered those responsible for
security to intensify measures then, especially in major cities
such as Jakarta (Java), Medan (north Sumatra), Surabaya (east Java)
and Makassar (south Sulawesi), as well as in conflict-prone
regions. Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, is home to 15
Catholic and 317 Protestant churches. It is also regarded as 'the
capital of the Muslim stronghold in East Java' (Jakarta Post, 13
Dec.). In an effort to safeguard Christians this Christmas,
Surabaya's police chief, Sr. Comr. Eddy Kusuma Wijaya, will post
police guards on all Surabaya's 332 Christian churches. But it is
impossible to stop a suicide bomber from walking right up to the
front door of a church – and so we pray.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR GOD:

* over this Christmas season, to protect not only his children
throughout Indonesia, but also those whose lives are at risk
guarding them as they worship.

* to frustrate the way of the wicked (Psalm 145:20 and 146:9) and
expose to the light all their arms caches, networks, and evil
plots, giving heavenly wisdom, insight and direction to the
authorities who are, as unwitting instruments of God,
responsible for the security of Christians in Indonesia.

-------------------------------------------------
IRAQ: CHURCHES BOMBED AMIDST CRIPPLING INSECURITY
-------------------------------------------------

Four churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul were bombed on 1 August
(12 dead, 61 injured); five more Baghdad churches were bombed on 16
October, and a further two on 8 November.

On 7 December, bombs exploded inside an Armenian and a Chaldean
church in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul (once known as Nineveh).
Parts of the Tahira Chaldean church date back to the 7th Century.
According to witnesses, several families were there when masked
gunmen stormed in, seized the guard's weapon and mobile phone, and
ejected everybody. The militants then planted the bomb and fled. No
one was injured in the explosion but the church and adjoining
Bishop's Palace were significantly damaged by the bomb and
subsequent fire. Father Ganni, a Chaldean priest, witnessed the
attack. In an interview with AsiaNews (http://asianews.it) he
reported that the militants told him, 'We are putting the bombs
because the Americans are destroying our mosques.' Father Ganni
(whose church was bombed on 1 August, injuring his sister) said
that Iraqi Christians would stay in Iraq as 'symbols of peace ...
to bear witness of our faith in Christ at the peril of one's life'.
Father Ganni's request: 'Pray for us. Iraqi Christians are bearing
a heavy cross. Knowing that people are praying for us gives us
strength.'

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* God to protect Iraqi Christians over Christmas as terrorism
escalates in the run up to the elections scheduled for 30 Jan
2005; may God frustrate the plans of the wicked (Psalm 146:9).

* divine strength and courage through the Holy Spirit to enable
Iraqi Christians to be 'unveiled' shining lights and 'symbols of
peace' in their ancient homeland. 'And we, who with unveiled
faces all reflect the Lord's glory...' (2 Cor 3:12-18 v18 NIV)

* the Holy Spirit to turn Muslim hearts towards Christ this
Christmas, so the 'veil' can be removed from their eyes and
hearts, enabling them to see this light and reflected glory,
understand the truth, and desire peace. 'But whenever anyone
turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.' (2 Cor 3:12-18 v16
NIV)

~~~~

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE:
------------------------------------------------------------

THREATS OF CHRISTMAS TERROR IN INDONESIA & IRAQ

There is a real concern that Christmas will be time of terror for
Christians in Indonesia and Iraq, where churches have been attacked
recently. The Immanuel and Anugerah churches in Palu, Central
Sulawesi (Eastern Indonesia) were attacked during evening worship
on Sunday 12 December, leaving several seriously injured with
gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Indonesia's President Yudhoyono has
ordered increased security through a police presence at all
churches in major cities and conflict-prone regions. On 7 December,
bombs were detonated inside an Armenian and an ancient Chaldean
church in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. Father Ganni, a
Chaldean priest, requests prayer. 'Iraqi Christians are bearing a
heavy cross. Knowing that people are praying for us gives us
strength,' he says. Please pray for God to protect Indonesian and
Iraqi Christians over Christmas.

----------------------------------------------------
Previous RLPs may be viewed at
http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/
If you downloaded this message from a website or it
was forwarded to you, you may receive future editions
by sending an empty e-mail to <join-rl-***@xc.org>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to
World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty
Prayer List <rl-***@crossnet.org.au>
----------------------------------------------------

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this
RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray
specifically and regularly for religious liberty
issues, and in particular to uphold the Church
where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner
of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.
Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000+ articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2004-12-18 21:48:11 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 11:22 PM

Today, like then, the Christmas story goes on.

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin - No. 303 - Sat 18 Dec 2004

-----------------------------------------------

TODAY, LIKE THEN, THE CHRISTMAS STORY GOES ON

- A not-the-usual Christmas greeting from Johan Candelin, International
Director, WEA RLC

-----------------------------------------------

The Herod of today sits in his big palace with hundreds of guards around
him. He has heard rumours about the Jesus movement in his country and does
not have this movement 'under control'. He will ask his special police to
get information so that 'I also may go and worship him'. In at least forty
palaces the Herods of today talk regularly with the Minister of Religious
Affairs about the news of Jesus and about people going to worship him.

The religious leaders of today also work hard. They work with the State.
They have a secure position. They know the words but do not know the Word.
They are the State's religious experts but they have no idea about what God
is doing in the world today. Neither do they understand what Jesus is doing
in their country. They do not like the new enthusiasm!

The wise men of today are still riding on their high intellectual camels.
The wise men always seem to have a longer way to Jesus than the simple
shepherds. But the wise men of today are still looking for Jesus. That's why
they are called wise! May God show them the way!

The Augustus of today still thinks he is making world history. He has the
big army. He sees everything in political terms and does not understand that
the real history is not his history but HIS- story.

The stable owners of today are the people who give the little they have into
God's hand without knowing what a great blessing they are giving and how
they pave the way for Jesus into people's lives.

The shepherds of today live in China, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea, Sudan,
Egypt, Bulgaria and many other countries. They are the poorest in the world
but at the same time the richest because they find Jesus today! Some 70,000
of these shepherds bow down before Jesus for the first time every day! The
Christmas story goes on greater than ever!

The Joseph of today suddenly understands that 'Jesus has entered the
family'! He is ready to find new solutions and ways so that Jesus can grow
in the family and become the real centre of the family. He listens, trusts,
obeys and learns. May God give us all the heart of Joseph!

The Mary of today is the channel that God uses to give Jesus to a family.
Tens of thousands of Marys are living all over the world - in communist
countries, in Muslim countries and others. May God bless them all!

The JESUS of today is the same as then! He is the same forever. But says the
sceptic of today: What is so different about him? What's so special about
Christmas after all?

What makes Jesus very different is that he decided himself to be born! He
decided where he wanted to be born! He decided by whom he would be born! Who
else has done that?

He created the world into which he wanted to be born! Who else has done
that? He died for the world he created but loves so much. Who else has done
that? He left this world some weeks AFTER his death! Who else has done that?
He has promised to come back in glory one day. Who else has done that?

I would say that makes him very special in relation to any other man born
into this world.

That is why we can rejoice once again when we wish each other A BLESSED
CHRISTMAS!

In the service of the Christmas baby,

Johan Candelin

Finland

----------------------------------------------------
Previous RLPs may be viewed at http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/ If
you downloaded this message from a website or it was forwarded to you, you
may receive future editions by sending an empty e-mail to
<join-rl-***@xc.org>

Please send this RLP to others, with attribution to World Evangelical
Alliance (WEA) Religious Liberty Prayer List <rl-***@crossnet.org.au>
----------------------------------------------------

The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help
individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty
issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering
persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and
convenor of the Australian EA RLC.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14000+ articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1m. hits/month)
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-01-17 23:54:17 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 6:46 AM

Today's Headlines:

LOWER PAKISTANI COURT ACQUITS CHRISTIAN ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY

POWERFUL BOMB FOUND INSIDE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL IN PHILIPPINES

COURT TO HEAR APPEAL FROM 2 IMPRISONED VIETNAMESE MENNONITES

MINISTRY CONTINUES TO REACH OUT TO HAITI'S FORGOTTEN STORM VICTIMS

MEN FOR MISSIONS OUTREACH PLANS TO EXPAND WORK BEYOND HAITI

UKRAINIAN STREET CHILDREN FIND NEW LIFE DURING DEMONSTRATIONS

Today's News Stories:

LOWER PAKISTANI COURT ACQUITS CHRISTIAN ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY Anwer Masih has
been acquitted of blasphemy in Lahore, Pakistan, making him the first
Christian in the country to be acquitted of such charges in Pakistan's lower
courts. Judicial Magistrate Dr. Mohammed Anwar Gondal ruled on Dec. 17 that
the accusations against Masih were based only on "hearsay evidence" and that
the police report filed against Masih was nullified because it violated the
criminal procedure code. Masih, 32, was arrested on Nov. 30, 2003. A
neighbor who had converted from Christianity to Islam claimed that Masih had
mocked his new beard and derided Islamic beliefs. Although cleared of
blasphemy charges, Masih remains in hiding, unable to be reunited with his
wife and four children because extremists from the Islamic Religious Army
have vowed to kill him. He joins more than a dozen other Pakistani
Christians who, despite their innocence, have been forced to apply for
asylum abroad to live under new identities. (Compass)

POWERFUL BOMB FOUND INSIDE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL IN PHILIPPINES A powerful bomb
hidden in a lunchbox was found Friday, Jan. 14, inside a Roman Catholic
cathedral in the predominantly Muslim southern Philippine city of Cotabato,
about 545 miles south of Manila, police and church officials said. The
improvised bomb, made from a 60 mm mortar shell with batteries and a timing
device attached, had been delivered five days earlier by an old woman who
left the lunchbox for one of the priests at the Cotabato Immaculate
Concepción Cathedral, said Rev. Jun Gumban. Local police Chief
Superintendent Mipunod Maruhom said the bomb was powerful enough to kill and
cause major damage. It was ready to explode except for one wire that wasn't
connected, said a police bomb expert. Maruhom said police had no suspects,
and didn't know why the church was targeted. (WorldWide Religious
News/Associated Press)

COURT TO HEAR APPEAL FROM 2 IMPRISONED VIETNAMESE MENNONITES The People's
Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, will hear the appeals of Rev.
Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach of the Mennonite Church on
Wednesday, Feb. 2. Quang and Thach received three-year and two-year
sentences respectively -- the longest prison terms among six Mennonite
workers sentenced on Nov. 12, 2004, for charges of "resisting persons doing
official duty." Meanwhile, codefendants Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Hieu
Nghia, both released in early December, have written accounts outlining the
severe abuse they suffered while in prison. "These accounts are
heart-rending reports of nonstop beatings, deprivation and humiliation
because of their Christian faith," a source said. The higher court denied an
appeal from evangelist Nguyen Van Phuong who is scheduled for release on
March 2. An appeal was also denied for 21-year-old schoolteacher Le Thi Hong
Lien whose one-year sentence ends June 30. She is reportedly unfit to stand
trial. The torture and abuse that she has suffered has led to her "complete
mental and physical breakdown." (Compass)

MINISTRY CONTINUES TO REACH OUT TO HAITI'S FORGOTTEN STORM VICTIMS While
worldwide relief efforts have been concentrating on survivors of the Dec. 26
tsunami in the Asia Pacific region, victims of disasters in other parts of
the world have gone virtually unnoticed. Dean Yoder of Christian World
Outreach (CWO) says this is the case for survivors of Tropical Storm Jeanne
that flooded parts of Haiti last September. Hundreds are still homeless and
hungry from the floods that killed at least 2,000 people and left the city
of Gonaives in ruins. While the floods subsided months ago, "people's
personal belongings are gone -- they lost their homes, their beds --
anything they had was either destroyed by mud or washed away," Yoder said.
CWO continues to bring relief to the people in this forgotten part of the
world. "Pray that we will see continued aid sent in to the country and that
the churches will use this as an opportunity for evangelism," Yoder said.
(Mission Network News)

MEN FOR MISSIONS OUTREACH PLANS TO EXPAND WORK BEYOND HAITI Despite poverty,
natural disasters and the threat of violence, a group of men has been
working to reach Haiti for Christ through thousands of small, fix-tuned,
solar-powered radios. They also saw the beginnings of Christian radio
stations and new ministry opportunities. Seeing that through to completion
was a goal of Men for Missions' Warren Hardig. "Our 'Operation Saturation'
program officially ended on Dec. 31," he said. "But we're going to continue
working in Haiti with radio distribution and completing two downlink
stations that we didn't get done during 'Operation Saturation.'" Men for
Missions is the laymen's voice of OMS International. Hardig says the radio
project hinged on a "circle of eight" prayer strategy. The combination was
so strong that they want to expand their territory. "We want to take
'Operation Saturation' from Haiti to 'Operation Saturation' for the world.
We want to get prayer champions for every one of the fields where OMS is
working." (Mission Network News)

UKRAINIAN STREET CHILDREN FIND NEW LIFE DURING DEMONSTRATIONS A tent erected
by a Christian ministry in Kiev's Independence Square during December
protests has produced fruit in the lives of the street children it reached:
16 returned to their families, two were placed in hospitals for medical
treatment, 20 were taken into children's homes, and 20 gave their lives to
Christ. Native gospel workers manned the tent during a week of protests,
giving hot meals and warm clothing to teenagers and younger children. Games
and sleeping areas were set up, as were television sets on which boys and
girls could watch the historical election unfold. While giving care to
homeless children, the outreach eased the minds of protesters in the square
who were worried by the wandering boys and girls, knowing they often survive
by stealing. Workers took about 50 children and teenagers to a local church
service, at which 20 accepted Christ. They also took the homeless children
to museums, an ice-skating rink and a movie theater. "During that week,"
wrote a worker, "most of these children had more positive experiences than
ever before in their lives. They learned what real childhood is." Many of
the children have decided to enter Christian homes operated by the ministry
or return to their families. (Christian Aid Mission)


Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14100+ articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-01-19 21:17:11 UTC
Permalink
19 January 2005

EGYPTIAN CHRISTIAN FAMILY OF FOUR KILLED IN NEW JERSEY

An Egyptian Christian father, Hossam Armanious, his wife and two daughters
were found knifed to death in their home on 14th January
2005. Police are investigating several theories, but religious tensions have
been suggested as a potential motive. Armanious had been threatened during
an internet chat-room session, following his critical comments on Islam.

Hossam Armanious (47), his wife Amal Garas (36), and their daughters Sylvia
(15) and Monica (8) were found in their house in Jersey City, bound and
gagged with their throats slit and knife wounds to their heads and bodies.
While police are suggesting a robbery as the possible motive, the style of
killing has made friends and relatives see a link with Islamic teaching on
killing unbelievers.

Armanious and his family moved from Luxor, Upper Egypt to the USA in late
1990s to escape the growing anti-Christian violence in Upper Egypt. Such
violence has seen many Christians killed and much Christian property
destroyed in recent years.

After settling in New Jersey the family began making a new life for
themselves. However, as a devout Christian, Armanious was outspoken about
his faith, and continued to publicise the persecution of Christians in Egypt
that had caused them to flee. He was known to have frequent vigorous debates
on religion, including criticising Islam, in internet chat rooms. Two months
ago he received the threat that if he didn’t stop these comments ‘we are
going to track you down like a chicken and kill youÂ’. A parishioner of St
George and St Shenouda, the Coptic Orthodox church they attended, said,
‘They are trying to make us afraid, make us keep our mouth shut.’ Armanious’
refusal to keep quiet about Christian persecution under Islam may finally
have caused the fatal stabbings.

Relatives of the family grew worried when they had not heard from them for
several days. The extended family had been planning to gather together on
15th January to celebrate SylviaÂ’s 16th birthday. Early on the morning of
14th January police broke into the family home and found all four in
separate rooms. Autopsies have concluded that they bled to death from their
multiple wounds.

Sylvia, who had been known amongst her friends as ‘very religious and very
opinionatedÂ’, seemed to family members to have taken more savage wounds than
the others. She had a large gash across her chest and also stab wounds on
her wrist. Though the slash on her wrist was near her tattoo of the Coptic
cross, which all the family had, police have stated that it looks more like
a defensive wound than an attempt to cut the tattoo.

Police officials and Coptic church leaders are attempting to downplay the
religious link, asking people not to jump to conclusions. A break-in just a
few months earlier had caused Armanious to increase security at the home,
and as there were no signs of a forced entry police believe the family may
have known their attacker. They have also reported that there was no
jewellery or money in the house, with Mr ArmaniousÂ’s wallet emptied and
pockets turned out, leading them to the possibility of robbery as a motive.

However, family members who were permitted to enter the house to collect
important papers have said that all the jewellery was there. These
conflicting reports have added fuel to the relatives' outrage and some in
the local Egyptian Christian community are calling for revenge. A deacon at
their church has said that he is worried there may be a ripple effect
following the murders, with both anger and fear growing. At the funeral
several people carried placards saying ‘Islam is not a religion.’ The
procession later descended into chaos as mourners started jumping on cars
and threatening violence to a Muslim cleric who had attended.

These tragic deaths seem as if they may be part of a growing trend by
Islamic militants to kill – often by slitting the throat – those whom they
see as a threat, including those who address the issue of persecution of
non-Muslims within the Islamic tradition.

The fear under which the family had lived is poignantly illustrated in a
poem which Sylvia had written:

‘No more tears for me to cry. No more days where I have to lie…. No more
sadness to darken my day. No more rain to fog my daydreams. No more pain in
my life. No more fear of getting killed with lifeÂ’s knife.Â’

PRAYER ITEMS

* Pray for the relatives of the family as they come to terms with their
loss. Pray that they will not let their grief move them to anger.

* Pray for peace in the Egyptian Christian community in the USA, that the
anger felt by many will not lead to further violence.

* Pray that the police investigation will be thorough and find the true
reason for the murders. Pray for sensitivity and wisdom for all involved,
and that justice may be done.

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service
provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning
suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund, Web: www.barnabasfund.org
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14100+ articles, 3000 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Rowland Croucher
2005-01-19 22:23:35 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 8:17 AM

DISTRIBUTION OF 54,000 NEW TESTAMENTS IN TURKISH CITIES CAUSES STIR

CAMBODIA CLOSES BORDERS TO MONTAGNARDS FLEEING VIETNAM

MILITANT MUSLIMS KILL ANOTHER CHRISTIAN IN NIGERIA'S PLATEAU STATE

AZERBAIJANI CHILD WITH CHRISTIAN NAME FINALLY GETS BIRTH CERTIFICATE

NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS SLAM GOVERNMENT REPORT ON RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE

SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION HELPS HEAL WOUNDS IN BESLAN, RUSSIA

Today's News Stories:

DISTRIBUTION OF 54,000 NEW TESTAMENTS IN TURKISH CITIES CAUSES STIR The
Christmastime distribution of 54,000 New Testaments in the Turkish cities of
Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir resulted in mixed reactions among residents while
attracting the attention of the local media, reported Turkish World
Outreach. One newspaper reported that, "Models are giving out New Testaments
in Istanbul." Another stated, "New Testaments are being given out on the
streets!" Police went from being the main opponents to helping hand out New
Testaments and keeping copies for themselves, reported the correspondent at
the ministry's Alo Dua Prayer Center in Istanbul. While some media reports
criticized the distribution, "People are realizing that New Testament
distribution and being a Christian is possible -- and normal -- in this
nation," the correspondent said. "The streets were full of talk about the
New Testaments, and people were reading them." On Sunday Jan
9, about 70 Turkish nationalists were shouting Islamic chants outside the
prayer center. "The Alo Dua signs were pulled down, and a window was
broken," the correspondent said. "Some reporters have been waiting outside
the prayer center for several days. . . . A television station filmed one of
our prayer meetings without our permission, and it was shown on national TV
news three consecutive nights." (Assist News Service)

CAMBODIA CLOSES BORDERS TO MONTAGNARDS FLEEING VIETNAM Hundreds of
Montagnards have fled Vietnam for Cambodia in recent years in an effort to
escape ongoing persecution by the Vietnamese government, but that option is
no longer available for them. Cambodia has closed its northeastern border
with Vietnam to halt the flow of asylum seekers. That decision "comes amidst
alarming new reports of mass arrests, torture and increasing persecution of
Montagnard Christians," reported Human Rights Watch. Montagnards are
indigenous people from Vietnam's central highlands. Brad Adams, executive
director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division said, "The Vietnamese
government's mistreatment of these people continues unabated. Instead of
closing its borders to asylum seekers, the Cambodian government should be
working with the U.N. refugee agency to provide sanctuary to people escaping
torture and arbitrary arrest." A Montagnard Foundation video containing
interviews with Montagnard captives reportedly confirms reports of torture
and persecution. The foundation said its officials are calling on the U.N.
High Commissioner for Refugees to protect the Montagnard refugees in
Cambodia and ensure that they are not forcibly deported to Vietnam.
(Assist News Service)

MILITANT MUSLIMS KILL ANOTHER CHRISTIAN IN NIGERIA'S PLATEAU STATE More
violence broke out in the central Nigerian state of Plateau on Wednesday,
Dec. 29, when Muslim militants attacked a village, killing Christian
community leader Davou Bulle and critically injuring his wife and son.
Assailants shot Bulle in the chest as he and his family were returning from
their farm. The attack came just weeks after the federal government lifted a
six-month state of emergency imposed on the state. Police arrested eight
suspects in the attack, all Muslims. Three years of religious violence in
Plateau have left more than 10,000 people dead, the majority of them
Christians. (Voice of the Martyrs/Compass)

AZERBAIJANI CHILD WITH CHRISTIAN NAME FINALLY GETS BIRTH CERTIFICATE After
months of waiting, authorities in Azerbaijan have agreed to issue a birth
certificate to 19-month-old Luka Eyvazov. They had refused to register him
because his parents had given him a Christian name (Luke). Authorities also
apologized to Luka's parents "for making us wait and suffer for so long."
Without a birth certificate, Luka would not be able to go to school, get
treatment in a hospital or travel abroad. Officials would not comment on
whether they would register the birth of any other child with a Christian
name. (Voice of the Martyrs/Forum 18 News Service)

NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS SLAM GOVERNMENT REPORT ON RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE Christian
leaders in northern Nigeria say a report released in December by the
government of Kano state "grossly underreports" the number of Christians
killed by Muslim militants last year. The report states that 84 people died
in religious clashes in Kano in 2004. Methodist Bishop Foster Ekeleme,
chairman of the Kano chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, places
the death toll at closer to 3,000. "But let us not continue to argue about
numbers," Ekeleme said. "Why should even one Christian be killed?" Religious
violence in Kano was provoked by earlier clashes in the town of Yelwa,
Plateau state. Those incidents claimed an estimated 350 lives. Meanwhile,
intelligence forces have uncovered plans by Muslim militants in Kano to
attack Christians and burn down churches in an effort to destabilize the
government and force the observance of Islamic law. (Compass)

SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION HELPS HEAL WOUNDS IN BESLAN, RUSSIA The Orthodox
Christmas, celebrated on Friday, Jan. 7, was especially hard this year in
Beslan, Russia, the scene of a deadly terrorist school siege last September
that left more than 350 people dead, many of them children. Joel Griffith of
Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) says the ministry brought encouragement to
local residents through an outreach program called Immanuel's Child. "We've
seen over and over again just how not only effective these ministries are,
just for the children themselves, but the children often come and talk to
their parents about what happened. Sometimes the parents will even come with
the children, and they are so moved by the love shown to their children that
the church has a real open door to be able to minister." Griffith said he
was surprised at the receptivity of the people. "The senior pastor there
informed us that they were able to hold outreaches in North Ossetia where
Beslan is and five other churches in a region that's largely Muslim. He told
us that there was were a total of
2,261 children and 853 parents throughout these regions that were able to be
a part of these ministries." (Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
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Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
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*
Rowland Croucher
2005-01-21 06:03:37 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 10:20 AM

3 INDONESIAN CHURCHES FACE POSSIBLE CLOSURE, PRIEST KILLED

EGYPTIAN CHRISTIAN'S CRITICISM OF ISLAM MAY HAVE PROMPTED STABBINGS

CHRISTIAN WOMAN, 3 FAMILY MEMBERS IN PAKISTAN ABDUCTED, BEATEN

COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS REFUSE TO RETURN REMAINS OF MURDERED PRIEST

ERITREAN OFFICIALS ARREST STAFF MEMBER OF MISSION ORGANIZATION

Today's News Stories:

3 INDONESIAN CHURCHES FACE POSSIBLE CLOSURE, PRIEST KILLED Along with the
challenges facing Indonesians since the Dec. 26 tsunami, local Christians
continue to face persecution in this predominantly Muslim nation. Three new
churches were threatened with closure when the head of the North Grogol
community accused the churches of disturbing the community and meeting
illegally in business buildings. The three churches, Abraham Camp Church
(GKA), Bellezza Indonesia Bethel Church (GBI) and GKRI Karmel, confirmed
that the meeting halls could be used for business or other purposes,
including religious gatherings. The pastor of the GKA church, K.A.M.
Jusufroni, said church members will continue to meet, pointing to a legal
certificate from the Religion Department authorizing them to meet. "Nothing
can stop Christians from worshiping God," he said. In a separate incident, a
priest in Purworejo in Central Java, Thomas Harsidiyono, 50, was found dead
in a church retreat compound on Friday, Jan. 14, with massive head wounds.
Despite the string of attacks against Christians in various areas of
Indonesia, the provincial police chief said that the attack was "probably"
robbery. However, local sources say that police frequently downplay
incidents of violence against Christians. (Voice of the Martyrs)

EGYPTIAN CHRISTIAN'S CRITICISM OF ISLAM MAY HAVE PROMPTED STABBINGS An
Egyptian Christian father, Hossam Armanious, along with his wife and two
daughters were found knifed to death in their home in Jersey City, N.J.,
Friday, Jan. 14. Police are investigating several theories, but religious
tensions have been suggested as a potential motive. Armanious had been
threatened during an Internet chat-room session following his critical
comments on Islam. While police are suggesting a robbery as the possible
motive, the style of killing has made friends and relatives see a link with
Islamic teaching on killing unbelievers. Armanious and his family moved to
the U.S. in late 1990s to escape the growing anti-Christian violence in
Upper Egypt. As a devout Christian, Armanious was outspoken about his faith
and continued to publicize the persecution of Christians in Egypt that had
caused them to flee. He was known to have frequent vigorous debates on
religion, including criticizing Islam in Internet chat rooms. Two months ago
he received a threat that if he didn't stop these comments, he would be
killed. (Barnabas Fund)

CHRISTIAN WOMAN, 3 FAMILY MEMBERS IN PAKISTAN ABDUCTED, BEATEN On Monday,
Jan. 10, 58-year-old Christian domestic worker Hanifan Bibi, together with
three of her two family members, were abducted and tortured for two days,
then taken to the police as Bibi was accused of stealing from her employer.
From all indications, however, her "crime" was her faith in Christ. Bibi had
worked for 22 years as a domestic servant to help support her family. A
press release from the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement
(CLAAS) stated that her Muslim employer, Saeedan Batni, and two other men
broke into her home and abducted her along with her husband, son and nephew.
After taking them to an unknown location, they stripped Bibi, hung her
upside-down and beat her with a hot iron pipe. They also beat and kicked her
husband, Kala, and son, Pervaiz. After holding the four for two days without
food and water, they were taken to the police station where Bibi was accused
of stealing from her employer. CLAAS is pressuring the Pakistani authorities
to take this incident seriously. Similar incidents have often gone
unreported because the majority of Christian women are "poor and illiterate"
and afraid to get into trouble by reporting their employers.
(Voice of the Martyrs)

COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS REFUSE TO RETURN REMAINS OF MURDERED PRIEST Guerrillas
of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) remain firm in their
refusal to hand over the body of a Roman Catholic priest whom they abducted,
shot and buried last month. Father Francisco Montoya, 33, was kidnapped
Wednesday, Dec. 8, while traveling from Quibdó, Chocó, to the village of
Nóvita, about 400 miles northeast of Bogota. "He had entered the area
without their authorization," said Manuel García, vicar general of the
Quibdó diocese. "They accused him of being an army informant." Marxist
guerrillas and right-wing paramilitaries control large swaths of territory
in the embattled Chocó department (state), terrorizing local residents and
trafficking in narcotics. Guerrilla spokesmen said they buried Montoya on
the mountain where he was murdered, but refused to allow his remains to be
exhumed, citing security concerns. "The church can enter, but only with
their [FARC] authorization," García said. "It's a very painful situation."
(Compass)

ERITREAN OFFICIALS ARREST STAFF MEMBER OF MISSION ORGANIZATION A member of
the national staff of the Strategic World Impact (SWI) mission office in the
northeastern African country of Eritrea was arrested on Monday, Jan. 17. SWI
President Kevin Turner said no reason was given for his arrest. Turner added
that the same staff member had been arrested a few weeks ago. "While in
police custody, the staff member witnessed the shooting deaths of seven
other people and the kicking death of one other," Turner said. Eritrean
authorities have arrested an estimated 200 Christians since the beginning of
this year. (Assist News Service) Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
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Rowland Croucher
2005-01-28 22:42:22 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 2:52 AM

Subject: CHRISTIAN FAMILY ABDUCTED, HUMILIATED AND BEATEN IN REVENGE

PAKISTAN

28 January 2005

CHRISTIAN FAMILY ABDUCTED, HUMILIATED AND BEATEN IN REVENGE FOR WIFE'S
INTEGRITY

Mrs Hanifan Bibi and three male relatives were abducted by her Muslim
employer on 10th January, abused and mistreated for two days. Finally the
family were taken to a police station and accused of theft.

Hanifan Bibi, aged around 58, worked as a domestic servant for a Muslim
family. She and her husband Kala Masih, son Pervaiz and nephew Kashif were
at home in Lahore when her employerÂ’s husband and some other men broke down
the door and forced the Christian family into a car. They were driven to an
unknown destination and kept there for two days, hungry and thirsty. Kashif
was suspended upside down naked and beaten with a hot metal pipe. Mrs
Hanifan was stripped, forced to drink wine, photographed, videoed and
severely beaten. Kala and Pervaiz were also beaten. After this ordeal the
family were taken to a police station and accused of stealing money and
jewellery from Mrs HanifanÂ’s employer.

The family believe that their abduction was in retaliation for Mrs HanifanÂ’s
refusal to provide the men of her employerÂ’s family with Christian women for
sex.

Mrs Hanifan and her son were hospitalised because of the injuries sustained
from their beatings [1]. The case has been taken up the Centre for Legal Aid
Assistance and Settlement.

BACKGROUND

Many Pakistani Christian women are illiterate and earn their living as
ill-paid domestic servants, often for affluent Muslim families. They are
very vulnerable to abuse and rarely dare to complain, fearing the influence
of their employer in the local community. Cases brought by poor Christians
are often not treated seriously by the Pakistani police.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Pray for Mrs Hanifan Bibi, her husband, son and nephew that they may be
healed physically and emotionally from their ordeal.

* Pray for those who are seeking justice for them, that their pleas will be
heard. Pray also that the Pakistani authorities will act to protect
vulnerable Christian women from such abuse. Hanifan Bibi is only one of many
poor, illiterate Christian women who have suffered at the hands of affluent
Muslim employers.

LINKS

[1] -
http://www.barnabasfund.org/news/archive/pakistan/pakistan-20050128.htm

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service
provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning
suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund : www.barnabasfund.org
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(14200+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-01 00:35:37 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 10:22 AM

IRAQ'S CHURCH LEADERS PRAISE HIGH TURNOUT IN HISTORIC ELECTIONS

NEW TAX LAWS IN KENYA MAY THREATEN MISSION WORK

TURKMEN OFFICIALS PRESSURE RELIGIOUS GROUPS FOR PRACTICING FAITH

GERMAN CHURCHES DENOUNCE ANTI-SEMITISM ON KEY ANNIVERSARY

POLL: BRITONS SHOW DECREASED INTEREST IN ORGANIZED RELIGION

RISE IN GAMBLING AMONG SENIORS CATCHES U.S. CHURCHES OFF GUARD

Today's News Stories:

IRAQ'S CHURCH LEADERS PRAISE HIGH TURNOUT IN HISTORIC ELECTIONS Iraqi
Christians were among those queuing to participate in their country's first
democratic elections in 50 years Sunday, Jan. 30, defying insurgents who
killed more than 36 people and injured many others, church officials said.
Despite a wave of attacks, preliminary figures from the Iraqi Independent
Election Commission indicated that more than 72 percent of the country's 14
million registered voters had turned out. Large lines of voters were still
waiting outside many polling stations Sunday evening when the polls closed,
but organizers said they would be still be allowed to cast their votes. U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed the turnout which she said had
been better than expected and marked a "huge step forward" for the country's
transition to democracy. Suicide bombers targeted polling stations to try to
wreck the election that interim prime minister Iyad Allawi said would lead
the country into the post-Saddam Hussein era. Authorities imposed a massive
security clampdown, and tens of thousands of Iraqi and mainly U.S. foreign
troops were on the streets to counter threats by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi --
whose group claimed a number of the election day attacks. (BosNewsLife/ABC
News/AFP)

NEW TAX LAWS IN KENYA MAY THREATEN MISSION WORK Missionaries in Kenya are
growing concerned about the country's new tax code. Reports indicate that
the government may require missionaries to pay taxes on their support
income, insurance benefits, school tuition and personal property. Steve
Strauss of EFCA International said that in a worst-case scenario,
missionaries' tax bills could be doubled. SIM alone has between 40 and 50
missionaries working in Kenya. "Let's just pray . . . those doors [for
outreach in Kenya] would stay open and that God would make a way," Strauss
said. (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio has worked with local partners to install eight radio
outlets in seven cities of Kenya.

TURKMEN OFFICIALS PRESSURE RELIGIOUS GROUPS FOR PRACTICING FAITH Officials
in the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan continue to pressure
Protestants and members of other faiths for practicing their religion. Three
members of a Protestant family in the village of Gorogly in northeastern
Turkmenistan were summoned to the local administration and threatened on
Tuesday, Jan. 25. "The head of the village administration, the police, the
National Security Ministry secret police and the Muslim clergy started to
put pressure on them for holding services in their home and preaching their
faith among villagers," local believers said. "The officials threatened that
if they didn't halt their religious activities they would be expelled from
the village." Local officials threatened to cut off gas and electricity
supplies to the family's home and withhold pensions. Officials also
confiscated a Turkmen-language copy of the New Testament and accused the
family of bringing in a carload of Christian literature -- a charge that
local Christians deny. "Police and national security officers interrupt
small religious gatherings being conducted in private homes," said a member
of the group. "They detain all in attendance, verbally abuse them, and at
times brutally beat the detainees. Afterwards those present are given heavy
fines, with the owner of the home subjected to an even heavier fine."
Muslims are not exempt from the pressure on religious groups. Last fall
authorities destroyed six mosques in the capital city of Ashgabad in the
days leading up to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. A sign in front of
one of the destroyed mosques said the building would be replaced with a
police station. (Forum 18 News Service)

GERMAN CHURCHES DENOUNCE ANTI-SEMITISM ON KEY ANNIVERSARY On the 60th
anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz,
Poland, Thursday, Jan. 27, Protestant and Catholic churches in Germany
denounced all forms of racism and anti-Semitism. The Roman Catholic Bishops
Conference and the council of the mainline Protestant churches in Germany
issued declarations to commemorate the liberation of the death camp on Jan.
27, 1945. That was the day Russia's Red Army took the camp in southern
Poland where more than 1 million people -- mainly Jews -- had been
systematically gassed, starved or tortured to death. The churches,
representing approximately two-thirds of Germany's 82 million inhabitants,
also confessed responsibility for their contribution to the attempted
annihilation of the Jews. The Protestant leaders admitted that an "unholy
tradition of estrangement from and hostility towards Jews" had prevented
Protestants from resisting anti-Semitism. "Only those who are aware of the
human abyss and demonic powers will be prepared to defend humanity and
respect the honor of their fellow human beings," they said. The Roman
Catholic bishops also deplored the "long tradition of anti-Judaism among
Christians and in our church" and called attention to the fact that "evil is
universal." (IDEA)

POLL: BRITONS SHOW DECREASED INTEREST IN ORGANIZED RELIGION An audit of
1,000 people for The People's Poll, shown on UKTV G2, asked the same 100
questions as a 1954 survey about issues including family life, money, work
and leisure, politics, belief and national identity. While more than half
described themselves as spiritual, nearly three-quarters were not members of
a particular faith. Only 65 percent said they own a Bible, compared to 90
percent 50 years ago, but the number believing in ghosts had increased
fourfold to 40 percent. Although marriage relationships are generally good,
with 90 percent believing they will stay with their current partners for the
rest of their life, only 60 percent said they believe in monogamy. (News
Bytes/Greenbelt/Worldwide Photos)

RISE IN GAMBLING AMONG SENIORS CATCHES U.S. CHURCHES OFF GUARD A recent
survey of senior citizens in the U.S. revealed that up to 70 percent of
those sampled gamble regularly. Keith Whyte of the National Council on
Problem Gambling (NCPG) says the percentage is even higher (85 percent)
among the general U.S. adult population. While the number of potential
at-risk senior gamblers is alarming, churches are failing to provide help
for gambling addicts. "In our experience, most of the mainline U.S. churches
are pursuing more anti-gambling efforts than treatment and support
services," Whyte explains. "That's probably because church leaders do not
realize just how many of their members are in the gambling majority. I think
they are unaware of the amount of gambling that's going on -- and neither
the treatment folks (which we represent) nor the faith communities have
really been able to put their hands around how to respond to this surge."
The ability to do that and make people less reliant on gambling could
ultimately move states to stop relying on lottery revenues to bolster their
budgets, said Whyte. (AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14200+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
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Rowland Croucher
2005-02-03 00:43:59 UTC
Permalink
LEADERS OF RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE IN GEORGIA HANDED JAIL SENTENCES

NEPAL'S PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS WARY AS NEW KING TAKES POWER

SOME IRAQI CHRISTIANS REPORT BEING DENIED CHANCE TO VOTE

COURT DELAYS FINAL APPEAL FOR MENNONITE CHURCH LEADERS IN VIETNAM

NEW OM SHIP TO GET RETROFIT IN PREPARATION FOR WORLDWIDE MINISTRY

2,500 PEOPLE ATTEND 4TH CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS IN GERMANY

Today's News Stories:

LEADERS OF RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE IN GEORGIA HANDED JAIL SENTENCES Two prominent
leaders of violent attacks in the Republic of Georgia were sentenced to
prison on Monday, Jan. 31. Defrocked Orthodox priest Basil Mkalavishvili and
his main accomplice, Petre Ivanidze, were found guilty of leading a
five-year campaign of terror against religious minorities. Mkalavishvili was
sentenced to six years in prison and Ivanidze to four years. Their lawyers
plan to appeal the sentences. During the reign of terror, Baptists,
Pentecostals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics and True Orthodox members
suffered from more than 200 mob attacks, destruction of places of worship,
burning of religious literature and physical injuries to individual
believers. "It's a good sign, but the indictment covered only a tiny
percentage of the crimes Mkalavishvili and his followers committed," said
Levan Ramishvili, head of the Tbilisi-based Liberty Institute. "They
maintained their innocence throughout, banking on the fact that the
prosecution would not be able to get any proof because of intimidation of
witnesses." Interior Ministry Press Secretary Guram Donadze declined
official comment on the sentences, but said further investigations into the
attacks are under way. (Forum 18 News Service)

NEPAL'S PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS WARY AS NEW KING TAKES POWER Nepal's King
Gyanendra sacked the government and assumed power Tuesday, Feb.
1, raising fears among the country's embattled Christian minority. Speaking
on national radio and television, Gyanendra said he had "dissolved the
government in the larger interests of the people" of Nepal, the world's only
Hindu kingdom. He also declared a state of emergency, saying that
authorities had failed to impose adequate security amid the Maoist rebellion
that has claimed more than 11,000 lives since 1996. Sources said several
government officials and other politicians were put under house arrest while
security was increased around the capital, Kathmandu. Attempts were made to
close down Nepalese news websites and several telephone connections were
down. While it's unclear how the latest developments will affect Christians,
analysts say the monarchy has a poor history of allowing Christian
activities. Despite persecution in Nepal, researchers say the church in
Nepal has seen rapid growth in recent years, doubling to more than 500,000
Christians (2 percent of the population) who attend some 3,000 churches.
(BosNewsLife)

SOME IRAQI CHRISTIANS REPORT BEING DENIED CHANCE TO VOTE Some Iraqi
Christians reported that their relatives in Kurd-controlled northern Iraq
were prevented from voting in Sunday's election. Simon George, co-director
of an Assyrian satellite television station, said he received "at least 100
calls" from Assyrians complaining about being deprived of the vote in
Christian villages around Mosul. He said that Assyrian Christians were
promised ballot boxes that never arrived. Many of the Iraqi Christians who
did cast ballots in the Jan. 30 election say they voted for Prime Minister
Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite Muslim. A Christian housewife at a Baghdad
polling station said a vote for Allawi meant "choosing a strong leader who
does not differentiate between Iraqis of any religion." A Christian couple
said they were defying insurgents and choosing a leader who they hope will
bring security to Iraq. Another Iraqi Christian said, "This is our land and
we will stay here," adding that Christians were in the area "even before
Islam." Christians make up about 3 percent of Iraq's population. Iraqi
officials estimate that more than 15,000 Christians have left the country
since August when car bombings at five churches killed 12 people and injured
61 others. (AgapePress)

COURT DELAYS FINAL APPEAL FOR MENNONITE CHURCH LEADERS IN VIETNAM The Ho Chi
Minh City People's Court has announced a delay in the appeal of Rev. Nguyen
Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach of the Vietnam Mennonite Church
which was originally set for today. Quang's wife was informed of the
postponement by her husband's defense attorney on Thursday, Jan. 27. The
court has not yet set a new date. Following their trial on Nov.
12, 2004, Quang and Thach received three- and two-year prison sentences
respectively on charges of "inciting others to resist persons doing their
official duty." Quang, a well-known human rights activist and promoter of
religious freedom and general secretary of the unregistered Vietnam
Mennonite Church, was arrested by 30 security police last June in the
outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. He was charged with "inciting others to
resist persons doing their official duty." The charges came after undercover
police visited Quang's home church on March 2, 2004. A total of four men
were arrested, and both Quang and Thach continue to be held in the Chi Hoa
Prison in Ho Chi Minh City. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

NEW OM SHIP TO GET RETROFIT IN PREPARATION FOR WORLDWIDE MINISTRY Operation
Mobilization is one step closer to seeing another ship added to its fleet to
help in the ministry's worldwide outreach. The Logos Hope began its 12-day
voyage from Copenhagen, Sweden, to Montenegro, on Tuesday, Feb.
1. Copenhagen had been the home of Logos Hope for the past 10 months as OM
completed design and specification details for the ship's rebuilding work.
The Logos Hope will enter a shipyard in Montenegro to begin the rebuilding
work. While the repairs are an answer to prayer, mission leaders say project
still faces some challenges as refit costs are coming in higher than
expected, and the project will take longer than originally estimated.
(Mission Network News)

2,500 PEOPLE ATTEND 4th CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS IN GERMANY More than
2,500 leaders from the worlds of politics, economics, commerce and industry
gathered for the fourth Christian Leadership Congress in Nuremberg, Germany,
Jan. 20-22. The convention was organized jointly by the evangelical news
agency IDEA and Tempus Time Management Systems. Congress Chairman Rev. Horst
Marquardt Wetzlar called for courageous leaders to stand up for their faith
and implement time-tested biblical values. He encouraged leaders to follow
the example of young Christians and ask themselves, "What would Jesus do?"
Among the keynote speakers were Daimler-Chrysler Vice President Michael J.
Inacker, Bavarian Lutheran Bishop Johannes Friedrich and well-known German
television news journalist Peter Hahne. (Assist News Service)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14200+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
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Rowland Croucher
2005-02-07 23:18:36 UTC
Permalink
GUYANA

07 February 2005

GUYANA: THE FORGOTTEN FLOOD

The most severe flood for over a century has affected nearly 40% of
the population of the South American country of Guyana [1]. More than
three weeks after the floods began, water still lies waist-deep or
higher in some areas. People are looking to the churches for help.

While the worldÂ’s eyes have focused on the appalling devastation
caused by the December 26th Indian Ocean tsunami, abnormally heavy
rainfall in Guyana has caused a prolonged flood in its heavily
populated, low-lying, coastal areas. According to the latest figures
293,988 people have been affected, that is 39% of the countryÂ’s total
population.

Water over a metre deep is still lying in many parts of the East Coast
of Demarara County. Parts of the capital Georgetown, on the west bank
of the Demarara river, were also affected as well as areas of the
Demarara riverÂ’s east bank. Crops (sugar cane and rice) have been
destroyed.

With flood waters full of garbage, sewage and dead animals, there is
fear of a serious outbreak of disease. An estimated twelve people have
already died of leptospirosis. Alligators and anaconda snakes pose
further hazards in some areas.

The government has organised a programme of distribution of food
rations. With medical teams and mass distribution of antibiotics, they
are seeking to prevent epidemics, but doctors are urging a mass
evacuation of the East Coast. More pumps are being imported to tackle
the remaining water.

CHRISTIANS ASSISTING

Churches in and near the affected areas have been providing help from
the beginning of the disaster, mainly in the form of food. Using
supplies from the government aid programme and donations from church
members, they have set up kitchens to provide hot food for those who
cannot cook in their own homes. They have also distributed dry rations
to those able to cook. “People are coming to the church from six
oÂ’clock in the morning until midnight, asking for food. The Christians
have given from their own pockets to help them,” said a pastor in
BachelorÂ’s Adventure on the East Coast. Other Christians across Guyana
are also sending help through the churches in the stricken areas. A
pastor spoke of the wonderful encouragement it was to receive help
from Christians he had never met or even heard of before.

The orderly and equitable way in which churches have organised their
aid distribution has been commended by government officials as well as
by local communities. Christians have made sure to help not only
fellow-believers but also those of all faiths and races.

But some of the churches are now having to close down their feeding
programmes, as they have no more food to cook. “Today my church is
serving food for the last time,” lamented a pastor from the Grove area
on the east bank last Friday, “After that we have nothing more to
give.” Another pastor, from Little Diamond on the east bank, explained
why his church has already had to stop the feeding programme they had
set up for 50 families who were sheltering in a school. Without any
outside help his church members had covered all the costs, until they
could give no more. Now the church itself was in debt and the
programme had been halted.

“I was deeply moved by the perseverance and determination of these
pastors and their congregations,” comments Dr Patrick Sookhdeo,
international director of Barnabas Fund, who was in Guyana last week.
“The Church in Guyana is poor in financial terms, but they have given
sacrificially and risked so much to help the flood victims.”

AID FROM BARNABAS

Barnabas Fund has sent £60,000 to our partners in Guyana to be used by
the Guyanese churches to provide the most urgent needs of food (rice,
flour, beans, peas, plantains, cassava, eddoes etc.) and bottled
water, as well as disinfectant and small kerosene stoves. Long-term
assistance may be needed for some months after the floods have gone
for those who have lost their crops and farm animals.

Says Pastor Paul Mursalin, "Barnabas Fund has undertaken a very
powerful role in this entire venture. In actual terms what it has done
is to empower and strengthen the local churches to take care of its
needs and serving the communities."

For the Christian community, it will also be necessary to repair the
many church buildings which have been damaged by the water, and to
help support pastors. Where churches are flooded, no services can be
held, so no offerings are taken up, and the pastor has no income.
These pastors are staying faithfully with their people, risking danger
and disease, in order to bring practical help and spiritual
encouragement.

Barnabas Fund wishes to announce an urgent appeal to provide support
to pastors, repair church buildings and help those displaced from
their homes in the Guyana flood. You can make a donation through a
Barnabas Fund office or via our website donation page [2]. Remember to
specify Project 81-541.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Join Guyanese Christians in thanking God that so few people have
actually died in the floods, despite the huge numbers affected.

* Pray that the “December-January” rains will finally stop. Guyanese
are already talking fearfully of May-June, the other rainy period of
the year. Pray that these rains will be no heavier than normal.

* Pray against disease following the flood waters. Danger comes from
the contaminated water, cooking in the open air in unhygienic
surroundings, and animals sharing houses with people. Experience
elsewhere in the Caribbean (Haiti) has shown that flood-related
disease can occur up to six months after the flood itself.

* Praise God that Christians have been able to be so active in
providing assistance, and for the appreciation which government and
community have expressed. Pray for unity in the Body of Christ as
Christians work together to meet practical needs.

LINKS

[1] - http://www.barnabasfund.org/news/archive/guyana/guyana-20050207.htm

[2] -
https://www.secure-server-hosting.com/secutran/secureforms/sh202687/donation_form.htm




BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE
Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service provides the media and our supporters
with urgent news briefs concerning suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available
for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund,
Web: www.barnabasfund.org
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Shalom! Rowland Croucher
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(14300+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
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Rowland Croucher
2005-02-08 22:45:37 UTC
Permalink
IRAQI INSURGENTS WOUND PASTOR, KILL 2 RELATIVES ON ELECTION DAY

U.N. OFFICIAL CALLS NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS 'REFUGEES' FOR FIRST TIME

MINISTRIES LAUNCH PRAYER OUTREACH FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS

VOLUNTEERS ON MERCY SHIP BRING NEW HOPE TO RURAL WOMEN IN BENIN

Today's News Stories:

IRAQI INSURGENTS WOUND PASTOR, KILL 2 RELATIVES ON ELECTION DAY Among those
killed by insurgents trying to sabotage the democratic proceedings during
Iraq's historic elections Sunday, Jan. 30, were the uncle and cousin of a
native Iraqi pastor. The pastor was also hit by a bullet but was not killed
and is in stable condition. The three were shot while making their way to a
polling station in a major Iraqi city. (Christian Aid Mission)

U.N. OFFICIAL CALLS NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS 'REFUGEES' FOR FIRST TIME Jubilee
Campaign USA, a Christian human rights group based in Fairfax, Va., is
applauding a U.N. official who declared North Korean defectors as "refugees"
for the first time. The detailed report and conclusions were reached by
Vitit Muntarbhorn, the U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea, who was
appointed in July 2004 with a mandate to investigate and report on human
rights violations in the country and to begin a dialogue with its
government. This report, which is due to be presented in March at the 61st
session of the U.N. Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland,
represents the first time an official U.N. document has clearly defined
North Korean defectors as refugees. "For the past three years Jubilee
Campaign has been pressing the UNHRC to find decisively that North Koreans
fleeing their homeland are refugees and should be afforded refugee
protection," said Jubilee spokesperson Ann Buwalda. "After all, the mandate
of the UNHCR is to protect refugees and promote durable solutions to their
plight." In a report issued last year by Open Doors, North Korea remained
atop of the ministry's "World Watch List" of countries where Christians are
persecuted. The annual list ranks countries according to the intensity of
persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith. (Assist News
Service)

MINISTRIES LAUNCH PRAYER OUTREACH FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS A pair of
ministries have joined forces to launch a prayer outreach dedicated to
upholding persecuted Christians worldwide. Johan Candelin of Finland's
Friends of the Martyred Church and Norm Nelson of Compassion Radio in the
U.S. recently formed a group called PrayAt7 that encourages believers to
pray for at least seven minutes at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. What started as
a burden in the hearts of these two men has grown into a burning in the
hearts of many Christian leaders in America and Europe. The ministry calls
for Christians to come together in corporate prayer for persecuted
Christians, for the renewal of the Christian nuclear family, and for the
rededication of the Christian church to the Great Commission. Candelin and
Nelson say the idea of "lifting voices together in strength, in faith and in
agreement" can have a tremendous impact. "As this movement grows, believers
from all around the world will be praying at every hour. Whenever you join
in, you will be joining a band of bold intercessors." (Assist News Service)

VOLUNTEERS ON MERCY SHIP BRING NEW HOPE TO RURAL WOMEN IN BENIN The
Anastasis, one of the Mercy Ships, is docked off the West African nation of
Benin where volunteers are working with non-governmental organizations to
better the lives of rural women, their families and their communities.
Through a project called Women for Africa, staff members are reaching out to
the local people both physically and spiritually. They are helping in areas
such as family planning, getting involved in community affairs and improving
trade or employment skills. After the Anastasis leaves Benin, local
organizations will continue to support the women in business and
micro-finance projects. Volunteers are also involved in construction and
maintenance of latrines and water wells, accompanied by training in hygiene.
(Mercy Ships)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
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Shalom! Rowland Croucher
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http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14300+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
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Rowland Croucher
2005-02-09 23:36:36 UTC
Permalink
NIGERIAN PEACEKEEPING SOLDIERS KILL CHRISTIAN WOMAN

CHINESE PROTESTANT CHURCH ACTIVIST RELEASED FROM PRISON

PROPOSED VISA CHANGES IN PHILIPPINES RAISE MISSIONARIES' CONCERNS

FRANCE'S EVANGELICAL CHURCHES FACE BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES

PARENTS OF MISSIONARY SLAIN IN PERU RENEW QUEST FOR ANSWERS

U.S. REPORT ON UGANDA 'FAILS TO OFFER PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS'

Today's News Stories:

NIGERIAN PEACEKEEPING SOLDIERS KILL CHRISTIAN WOMAN Numan, a town in
northern Nigeria's Adamawa state, remains under siege following major
religious clashes. On Friday, Jan. 28, a Christian woman was shot death by
soldiers deployed in the town to keep order. Christian leaders say the
killing -- combined with the state government's ouster of Numan's Christian
monarch and its failure to prosecute a Muslim fanatic who killed a female
Christian evangelist in the town 19 months ago -- amounts to persecution.
Meanwhile, in the northern city of Kano, the family of Yusuf Olawale, 27,
reported him missing and believe he may have been killed. The family has not
heard from him since his arrest by Islamic law enforcers on May 13, 2004, on
allegations that he breached sharia, the Islamic legal code. (Compass)

CHINESE PROTESTANT CHURCH ACTIVIST RELEASED FROM PRISON An Internet writer
who posted articles online supporting China's unregistered independent
churches has been released after serving a one-year jail term, a fellow
activist and a family member said. Computer technician Zhang Shengqi was
detained in November 2003 and sentenced to one year in prison last summer
after being convicted of leaking state secrets. He recently returned to his
home in eastern China's Shandong province. Zhang and two fellow activists,
Liu Fenggang and Xu Yonghai, were also accused of helping spread information
on the Internet about a 2003 crackdown on unregistered churches in the
eastern city of Hangzhou. Liu and Xu received three- and two-year jail
sentences respectively. China allows worship only in tightly controlled
state churches and regards unregistered congregations as "subversive
channels for foreign infiltration." Hundreds of ministers and worshipers
were reportedly detained in sweeps by police, and dozens of unregistered
churches in Hangzhou were destroyed in the crackdown.
(WorldWide Religious News/Associated Press)

PROPOSED VISA CHANGES IN PHILIPPINES RAISE MISSIONARIES' CONCERNS Changes in
the immigration law for the Philippines has raised concerns among
missionaries serving in the country. The changes, first proposed last
September, could mean limited ministry opportunities for foreign workers,
says Phil Burns, Send International's Philippines director. "Basically . . .
it came down to that all missionary workers would be limited to one
five-year term of duty in the Philippines, non-renewable. That sent quite a
panic through the missionary community. In December they did extend it for
one renewal, but that still would play great havoc with the missionary
community." Since the memo was issued, there's been some good news, Burns
says. "The commissioner has indefinitely postponed the implementation of the
order [to consult] with some of the Catholic and evangelical groups that
would be severely impacted." He says terrorism and other illegal activity is
the main reason that the government is considering stricter immigration
guidelines. (Mission Network News)

FRANCE'S EVANGELICAL CHURCHES FACE BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES Evangelical churches
in France are encountering growing administrative difficulties as the
country re-examines its secular principles. The French Protestant Federation
said it must frequently intervene to protest official actions that could be
considered attacks on religious freedom, but they were more likely the
result of ignorance. Federation President Jean-Arnold de Clermont explained
that because of France's Catholic traditions, public officials consider
"legitimate" only those religions that have a recognized head, such as a
bishop, and a recognized service, such as mass. Anything differing from that
pattern was regarded as a "sect." An article I a major French magazine
recently declared that evangelical churches were sects and criticized what
it said was the use of religion as a political tool in the U.S. However, de
Clermont rejected the view that freedom of religion was being attack in
France. The French Protestant Federation often is called upon to explain the
specifics of the widely diverse Protestant movement to government
authorities. At a meeting of religious leaders called by the Ministry of the
Interior to discuss anti-Semitism, a Reformed Church pastor discovered that
he was the sole representative of the Protestant faith, attending along with
a Catholic bishop, Muslim cleric and Jewish rabbi. He informed officials
that they also should have considered inviting Lutherans, evangelicals and
other Protestant representatives to participate in the discussions.
(Religion Today/CNSNews.com)

PARENTS OF MISSIONARY SLAIN IN PERU RENEW QUEST FOR ANSWERS The parents of a
missionary killed with her adopted baby when a plane was shot down in Peru
have renewed their quest for answers after learning that federal prosecutors
have dropped a criminal investigation of CIA operatives. Veronica Bowers'
parents say they consider the killings "murder." They received a brief call
of apology from President George W. Bush after the shootdown, but still want
someone held accountable. The 35-year-old Baptist missionary and her
7-month-old daughter, Charity, were killed in April 2001 when a Peruvian
warplane shot down their floatplane after a surveillance aircraft contracted
by the CIA misidentified it as a possible drug flight. Her husband, Jim, and
the couple's son, Cory, were also aboard the plane. They and the pilot,
Kevin Donaldson, survived the attack. (AgapePress)

U.S. REPORT ON UGANDA 'FAILS TO OFFER PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS' A report from the
U.S. State Department analyzing Uganda's 18-year civil war raises awareness
of the nation's problems but lacks any useful, proactive solutions, says
Rory Anderson of World Vision. "In our minds, a conflict that has been
raging for 18 years, where more than 20,000 children have been abducted and
pressed into military service by the Lord's Resistance Army and used as sex
slaves, requires more than just a reiteration of the status quo." Anderson
had hoped the report would lay out "solutions and cutting edge vision for
both ending the war and rebuilding Uganda." For 10 years World Vision has
operated a "Children of War" center in Gulu to help child soldiers reorient
to society. "While lost innocence can never be reclaimed," Anderson says,
"hope lies in the fact that at the center of our ministry is . . .
demonstrating to these children . . . that even though they've done these
horrible atrocities, God still loves them. They can still be a vessel to
bless His people in northern Uganda." (Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14300+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
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Rowland Croucher
2005-02-15 05:07:51 UTC
Permalink
IRAQI CHRISTIANS VOICE CONCERNS AS SHIITES CELEBRATE VICTORY

30+ CHURCHES IN INDONESIA REFUSED PERMITS, FORCED TO CLOSE DOORS

HINDU MILITANTS ATTACK, THREATEN TRIBAL CHRISTIANS IN WESTERN INDIA

CAMBODIAN POLICE CONTINUE TO ARREST, SELL MONTAGNARD REFUGEES

WYCLIFFE WORKS WITH INDONESIAN PARTNERS TO HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS

Today's News Stories:

IRAQI CHRISTIANS VOICE CONCERNS AS SHIITES CELEBRATE VICTORY Representatives
of Iraq's troubled Christian minority are expressing concerns about the
outcome of Iraq's historic Jan. 30 election. The United Iraqi Alliance, a
clergy-backed coalition of mostly Shiite Muslims, placed first with nearly
half the votes. However, the alliance failed to win the two-thirds majority
needed to control the 275-member National Assembly. This has led to
speculation that the Shiites may form a coalition with the
independence-minded Kurds which placed second, winning 26 percent of the 8.5
million ballots cast in the election. Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi
finished third with 14 percent, the country's election commission reported.
Christians are concerned that they have become "politically marginalized"
and that the country will move toward an Islamic state with little or no
freedom for religious minorities. Assyrian Christians are expected to secure
10 seats in the National Assembly. The assembly will serve as a lawmaking
body, and it will help select and approve the president and prime minister.
Its most important task will be to create a committee to draft a permanent
constitution which Iraqis will vote on by Oct. 15. (BosNewsLife/Associated
Press/Chicago Tribune)

30+ CHURCHES IN INDONESIA REFUSED PERMITS, FORCED TO CLOSE DOORS More than
30 churches in West Java, Indonesia, are still searching for approved
worship facilities after objections from Muslim neighbors forced them to
close last year. Recently two churches were forced to close after applying
for permits to hold Christmas services in private homes. Jawadi Hutapea, a
parish representative, said many churches in West Java were afraid because
of threats received in recent months. "We have tried approaching local
authorities and we are looking at other options," he said. Options are
limited. Local bylaws require approval from the surrounding community before
a permit is granted to build a church or to hold church services in an
existing building. Since West Java is a Muslim-majority area, permits for
church construction are seldom granted. Officials in Rancaekek ordered 12
churches to close last September after Muslim leaders protested that the
churches were meeting illegally. The congregations had applied for permits
to build churches as early as 1993, but permits were consistently refused.
(Compass)

HINDU MILITANTS ATTACK, THREATEN TRIBAL CHRISTIANS IN INDIA Tribal
Christians in western India's Dadra and Nagar Haveli territory say Hindu
militants are threatening to kill them and burn their homes unless they
leave the troubled region. The apparent campaign of intimidation and
"religious cleansing" began in the village of Sili Talavpada on Friday, Dec.
31, when activists from the Hindu fundamentalist organization, Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (VHP), entered the area, witnesses said. "The VHP activists
attacked while Christians were attending a prayer meeting peacefully," said
a missionary with the Friends' Missionary Prayer Band. "They stormed the
meeting and made the Christians vacate the hall immediately, threatening
them with deadly weapons," said the missionary who asked to remain anonymous
for security reasons. The attack took place in a thatched cottage where the
tribal members, who became Christians 12 years ago, gathered for prayer and
worship every Sunday and Tuesday. The tribal Christians also sent a letter
to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) complaining about violent
attacks from VHP activists. "They used dangerous weapons such as axes,
hockey sticks and chains, and they threatened to kill us and burn down our
houses and churches," the letter stated. "The VHP activists asked us to
leave our village and go to Italy or America." Tribal Christians from Sili
Talavpada asked the EFI to intervene in the conflict which they describe as
the most serious since 2002. An estimated 25,000 tribal Christians live in
Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

In a separate incident, A Hindu cleric in the Catholic village of Rajura in
neighboring Maharashtra state insisted that tribal Christians turn their
church into a Hindu temple or face violent consequences. "This morning I
received news that the situation is extremely serious," said Bishop Edwin
Colaço of the Amaravati Diocese. "The Christians are living in fear of their
lives." Hindu cleric Sunil Ji Maharaj initially threatened about 40 Catholic
families in the village with social ostracism and even death if they did not
"reconvert" to Hinduism or leave the village, Asia News reported. "He urged
Hindu villagers to kill the Christian adivasis (tribal people) with
'swords,'" Colaço said. Mumbai sociologist S.M. Michael attributes such
aggression to desperate attempts by fundamentalist Hindus to reclaim
political power after the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party in last
year's elections. (BosNewsLife/Compass)

CAMBODIAN POLICE CONTINUE TO ARREST, SELL MONTAGNARD REFUGEES Since 2001
thousands of Montagnards have fled Vietnam for Cambodia to escape ongoing
persecution by the Vietnamese government. However, it appears that option is
no longer available for the Montagnards, the predominantly Christian
indigenous people of Vietnam's central highlands. The Montagnard Foundation
has learned that Cambodian police are continuing to arrest and forcibly
return Montagnard asylum seekers back to Vietnamese police in exchange for
cash bounties. In the latest incident earlier this month, 21 Montagnard
Degar refugees were arrested and turned in to Vietnamese police. They were
arrested at Dat village in Cambodia's Ratannakiri province. Last November 15
Degars faced a similar situation. The Vietnamese government paid a bounty of
5 million Vietnamese dong (about US$335) to Cambodian police. Montagnard
Foundation President Kok Ksor added that many of the refugees "have been
tortured and imprisoned when they are returned to Vietnam. The international
community needs to protect our people now." (Assist News Service)

WYCLIFFE WORKS WITH INDONESIAN PARTNERS TO HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS As many
relief groups rushed aid to the tsunami victims, Wycliffe Bible Translators
has found that partnering with other groups was the most valuable way to
help. They linked with national partners in Indonesia to serve tsunami
victims. "After we began to realize how widespread the devastation was and
the breadth of the tragedy, we began to look around for ways in which we
could be helpful in terms of relief work," explains Wycliffe spokesman Bob
Creson. "We don't do relief work, but we just felt like we needed to extend
some compassion to those that were a part of that devastation." Wycliffe is
channeling funds to its Indonesian partner, Karti Daya, which is giving aid
to relief group, Friends of Aceh. Through those partnerships, the gospel is
going forth, Creson says, "We just need to be praying that God will use what
is, in human terms, a tragedy and bring honor and glory to Himself. And my
prayer is that through some of these relief efforts, that in some way, the
doors will be opened to the Gospel message in that part of the world."
(Mission Network News)

http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
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http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14300+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
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Rowland Croucher
2005-02-15 23:00:05 UTC
Permalink
ACNS 3941 | MIDDLE EAST | 15 FEBRUARY 2005

Photographs for this item can be found here:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/39/00/acns3941.cfm

St George's Baghdad praises response, continued support necessary

By Michael Craske

The last remaining Anglican church in Iraq has praised the level of
support it has received from the Anglican Communion and wider faith
communities and has appealed for further assistance to meet its
immediate needs and future goals.

St George's Memorial Church in Baghdad, part of the Anglican
Congregation of the American Embassy Chapel, is an important centre for
the Iraqi Christian community - with some 300 regular worshippers - and
has become a focus for the work of the wider church in meeting the
humanitarian needs of the parish. In a letter to the Anglican Communion
Office, the church staff have reported that their initial appeal,
started in November of last year, has greatly enhanced the church, which
was founded in 1936 but forcibly closed for 10 years under Saddam
Hussein

Since the appeal, the church has been able to buy a power generator - to
enable the use of air-conditioning units - and has put up 75 perimeter
security barriers around the church, as parishioners had been concerned
about safety. In addition, deliveries of relief goods have now started
to arrive via the US Army Chaplain's Office and are being distributed to
the community, both Christian and Muslim. Also, one parishioner, a young
boy named Yousef, has been able to get medical treatment in Amman and
return to Baghdad with medical supplies through the church's work.
Before re-opening, St George's was looted in 2003, with all its
furniture, including the church organ, stolen. It was also badly damaged
by rocket fire and still currently lacks plumbing, pews, a constant
budget, and a full-time rector.

"Without you, St George's would not have been able to meet any of those
critical needs," said the letter to those who had donated. "But as you
can imagine, there is much more to be done...the most critical
requirements are those which address the needs of the parish (security
and medical care), the habitability of the church building (heaters) and
other recurring costs..."

The ongoing project has been overseen by the Most Revd Clive Handford,
the Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East and Bishop of Cyprus and
the Gulf - in whose province St George's is located. The Revd Canon
Andrew White, the Director of the International Centre for
Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral in the UK, has played a leading
role in the project and in raising the Church's vital profile in Iraq
and beyond.

"For our brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of denomination, we
appeal to you to come to the aid of an embattled congregation," the
letter continued. "Our shared mission is to spread and sustain Christ's
message of love and reconciliation, in showing our brothers and sisters
that we acknowledge their suffering and want them to succeed

"For all who seek to work for peace and harmony amongst people of all
faiths....the seeds of hope can be planted here."

To send financial assistance to St George's, cheques made payable to
Coventry Cathedral ICR (IRAQ), can be sent to St George's Baghdad Relief
Fund, c/o The International Centre for Reconciliation, Coventry
Cathedral, England CV1 5AB, UK

For those wishing to donate via the US, cheques should be made payable
to St John's Church, and sent to St George's Baghdad Relief Fund, c/o St
John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, NW, Washington
DC 20005, USA

All donations are being processed and sent to St George's without
overhead.

The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East covers Jerusalem,
Iran, Egypt, Cyprus, and the Gulf. The Jerusalem bishopric was founded
in 1841 and became an archbishopric in 1957. Reorganization in January
1976 combined the Dioceses of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria with the
Jerusalem bishopric after a nineteen-year separation. Around the same
time, the new Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf was formed and the Diocese
of Egypt was revived to create the province as it is now known.

For more information please contact either Canon White on
***@coventrycathedral.org.uk or Ms Betsy Heine on
***@stjohns-dc.org

www.cyprusgulf.anglican.org
www.coventrycathedral.org.uk
www.stjohns-dc.org

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 7,500 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html
--
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Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14300+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-17 04:53:00 UTC
Permalink
VIETNAM TO ALLOW HOUSE CHURCHES THAT MEET NEW CONDITIONS

SEVERAL INJURED IN RIOT AT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WEST TIMOR, INDONESIA

THOUSANDS OF IRANIANS COMING TO CHRIST, OPEN DOORS REPORTS

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CONDEMNS TOGO'S 'CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS'

MINISTRIES SHIFT FOCUS TO MEETING TSUNAMI VICTIMS' LONG-TERM NEEDS

MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS CALL FOR UNITY FOLLOWING MURDERS IN NEW JERSEY

Today's News Stories:

VIETNAM TO ALLOW HOUSE CHURCHES THAT MEET NEW CONDITIONS Vietnamese Prime
Minister Phan Van Khai says the country will allow Protestant house churches
in the central highlands if they operate under certain conditions, reported
the state-controlled media. House churches, which had been banned by the
government, will be allowed to operate if they have no connection to Dega
Protestantism and revoke all ties to the United Front for the Liberation of
Oppressed Races, a guerrilla group that fought alongside the Americans
during the Vietnam War. The prime minister called on local governments to
"seriously and effectively implement these specific tasks," but it was
unclear when the decree would take effect. Vietnam has faced increased
international pressure in the past year regarding alleged religious
repression and human rights abuses. (Assist News Service/Associated Press)

SEVERAL INJURED IN RIOT AT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WEST TIMOR, INDONESIA Several
people have been injured and a police post torched in riots in eastern
Indonesia's West Timor province. Police say the riots in Atambua town were
sparked by anger over an incident during mass. A district police spokesman
said the riots occurred after police rescued a man who was being assaulted
at the Immaculate Cathedral for allegedly crushing the communion wafer
during morning mass. Police took the 27-year-old man, who could be charged
with "contempt of religion," to the district police headquarters for
questioning. Atambua Bishop Anton Pain Ratu said the man's action is
regarded as an "abomination" in the Catholic religion. (WorldWide Religious
News/ABC News)

THOUSANDS OF IRANIANS COMING TO CHRIST, OPEN DOORS REPORTS Aid organization
Open Doors reported in its February newsletter that Iranians are coming to
faith in Christ by the thousands. An Iranian pastor commented, "In the 1980s
we rejoiced over two or three new believers each month. In the 1990s we were
impressed when we heard about a group of new believers. Today we're somewhat
surprised to discover an entire new underground church." After 25 years of
the Islamic Revolution, Iranians seem disappointed in Islam and its broken
promises. Sixty percent of Iranians have heard the gospel, and the nation
seems to be on a quest for alternative answers to Islam. An Iranian
immigrant who found Christ told his relatives in Iran of his new faith.
Within a month, 50 of his relatives came to Christ. One year later they had
a church of more than 250 believers. Every day 50 Iranian youths secretly
join a Christian church, said Shiite leader Hassan Mohammadi of the Iranian
Ministry of Education. There are now an estimated 250,000 believers in Iran.
(Friday Fax/Open Doors)

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CONDEMNS TOGO'S 'CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS' The World
Council of Churches (WCC) expressed concern about the "constitutional
crisis" in the tiny West African country of Togo where security forces
killed up to three people Saturday, Feb. 12, during a protest against the
military's installation of a new president. WCC General Secretary Samuel
Kobia said "in solidarity with the churches of Togo" the organization is
urging a return to "constitutional sobriety" following the death of longtime
President Gnassingbe Eyadema who died Saturday, Feb. 5, and the appointment
of his son, Faure Gnassingbe, as the new leader this week. There are fears
within and outside Togo's Christian minority of a prolonged military-backed
dictatorship that would violate religious and other human rights. Analysts
say the assembly speaker was supposed to call elections within 60 days of
Eyadema's death, but the parliament quickly changed the rules, allowing
39-year-old Gnassingbe to remain president until
2008. "It is a gospel imperative for the churches in Togo to stand for what
is just, noble, true and honorable to safeguard the people's right to be
governed according to the constitution without manipulation," Kobia said.
Christians comprise about 29 percent of Togo's 5.5 million people.
(BosNewsLife)

MINISTRIES SHIFT FOCUS TO MEETING TSUNAMI VICTIMS' LONG-TERM NEEDS Christian
ministries are digging in for the long haul after the Dec. 26
earthquake/tsunami in the Indian Ocean left more than 158,000 people
confirmed dead. International Aid, for example, is moving from the rescue
phase to relief and restoration. It'll be a long-term physical and spiritual
effort, working together with local indigenous churches, said IA spokesman
Dean Agee. "We believe that by showing God's love through our work, that we
will create relationships, and people will ask questions. They'll want to
know why we're there. By being faithful to the calling of caring for the
least of these, we'll also have an opportunity to fulfill the Great
Commission." Operation Mobilization (OM), meanwhile, is focusing on
providing psychological and spiritual counseling for survivors. OM spokesman
Dr. Patrick Railey says while people's medical needs are being met, a recent
visit to the southern tip of India showed that psychological trauma is
coming to the surface. "The greatest ongoing need there is for counseling.
People in many places are paralyzed with grief." OM staff members who
visited a number of fishing villages found that fear takes many forms,
Railey said. "We've got a lot of folks suffering with survivor grief [saying
things like], 'My family got taken from me, and I didn't. Why? Why am I
still here?' I feel guilt because of that.' There area a lot of sleep
issues. People are scared of the tsunami coming back again." (Mission
Network News/BBC)

MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS CALL FOR UNITY FOLLOWING MURDERS IN NEW JERSEY Appealing
for calm and understanding after the murder of an Egyptian Christian family
last month, Muslim and Christian leaders rejected religious hatred and
called for unity. Although the gathering Sunday, Feb. 13, had been planned
months in advance, the murders of Hossam Armanious, his wife and two young
children became the focus of many participants at the American Muslim
Union's annual community brunch. Prosecutors are investigating whether
Armanious, a Coptic Christian from Egypt, might have angered Muslims with
his postings under the name, "I Love Jesus," in an Internet chat room,
leading to the killings. But they also caution that robbery was a possible
motive because the home was ransacked and money was taken from the victims,
and no solid evidence tying the crimes to religious hatred has been
established. The bodies of Armanious, 47, his 37-year-old wife, Amal Garas,
and their daughters Sylvia, 15, and Monica, 8, were discovered Jan. 14 in
the family's home. They had been bound and gagged, and each was stabbed
repeatedly in the neck and head. The murders spread fear throughout the
region's Coptic Christian community and spurred tensions that erupted in
scuffles and anti-Islam slogans being shouted during the family's funeral.
(WorldWide Religious News/Associated Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-19 04:31:53 UTC
Permalink
MILITARY COURT SENTENCES IRANIAN PASTOR TO 3 YEARS IN PRISON

ACTIVISTS SUPPORT PANEL TO PROTECT MALAYSIA'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS

AFRICANS HELP BOOST LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP BY 5.8%

ALARMING NUMBER OF 'STAY-AWAY SAINTS' AFFECTING TODAY'S CHURCH

AID EFFORTS OPEN DOORS TO EVANGELIZE SUDAN'S UNREACHED GROUPS

Today's News Stories:

MILITARY COURT SENTENCES IRANIAN PASTOR TO 3 YEARS IN PRISON A Tehran
military court sentenced Iranian Christian pastor Hamid Pourmand to three
years in jail Wednesday, Feb. 16, ordering his immediate transfer to a group
prison cell in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. The former army colonel was
found guilty of deceiving the armed forces by not declaring that he was a
convert from Islam to Christianity. It is illegal for a non-Muslim to serve
as a military officer in Iran. Pourmand, 47, a Christian for nearly 25
years, produced original documents showing that his military superiors had
acknowledged years ago that he was a Christian. "But the court didn't accept
them," an Iranian source said. "They said these were false documents." The
verdict represented the maximum penalty for Pourmand's alleged offense. As a
result, the lay pastor of a small Assemblies of God congregation faces
automatic discharge from the army and forfeits his entire income, pension
and housing for his family. A lawyer acting on behalf of Pourmand's family
said he will appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court. Simultaneously, he
hopes to block efforts to put Pourmand on trial before a sharia court of
Islamic law where, under charges of apostasy and proselytizing, he could be
sentenced to death. (Compass)

ACTIVISTS SUPPORT PANEL TO PROTECT MALAYSIA'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS Malaysian
religious and human rights groups are urging the government to set up a
national commission to investigate religious grievances and improve policies
on sensitive matters of faith. Representatives of dozens of private groups
will hold a conference Feb. 24-25 to prepare a proposal for a National
Interfaith Commission that they say would reflect the predominantly Muslim
country's commitment to safeguard other religions. "We cannot run from the
reality that our society comprises people of various faiths," said lawyer
Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who heads a committee spearheading the proposal. "The
fact is that conflicts exist and will cause resentment to fester if we leave
them entrenched." Religion is a sensitive issue in Malaysia. Nearly 60
percent of the country's 25 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims, but
freedom of worship is guaranteed in the constitution for the large Buddhist,
Christian and Hindu minorities. Religious controversies occasionally
surface, but open friction between Muslims and non-Muslims is rare.
Nevertheless, activists believe the creation of a state-backed panel is
necessary to probe complaints of religious rights violations and advise the
government on laws to curb such abuses. (WorldWide Religious News/Associated
Press)

AFRICANS HELP BOOST LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP BY 5.8% The
Lutheran World Federation announced member churches have 65.9 million
members as of 2004, a one-year increase of 5.8 percent, thanks largely to a
1.1-million gain in Africa and a merger between a Lutheran church in the
Netherlands and two large Reformed churches. With a total of 500,000 new
members, the Malagasy Lutheran Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Tanzania each reported having 3 million members. Africa's largest Lutheran
denomination is Ethiopia's Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus with 4.2 million
members, an increase of 131,000. Meanwhile, the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in Sub-Saharan Africa lost nearly 180,000 members, a 23-percent drop.
Counting churches outside the federation, world Lutheran membership
increased 3.6 million, to 69.5 million. Germany remains the nation with the
largest number of Lutherans, 13.1 million, representing a one-year decline
of 160,000. Membership in North America dropped 2.2 percent to 8.3 million.
(WorldWide Religious News/Associated Press)

ALARMING NUMBER OF 'STAY-AWAY SAINTS' AFFECTING TODAY'S CHURCH An alarming
number of Christians in the U.S. are staying home on Sunday mornings, and
the trend is affecting churches. Believers who have become "stay-away
saints" are alternately worrying and exciting church leaders, pointing to
what is being seen as either a threat to the spread of the gospel or the
cusp of a revolution that could usher in a revival. A recent study by the
Barna Group, a California-based Christian research organization, found that
about 13 million Americans whom the researchers identified as being born
again were "unchurched . . . not having attended a Christian church service,
other than for a holiday . . . at any time in the past six months." David
Barrett, author of the World Christian Encyclopedia, estimates there are 112
million "churchless Christians" worldwide. He projects that number will
double by 2025 -- though it includes both nominal believers and those
connected with underground churches in nations where they face persecution
for their faith. (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

AID EFFORTS OPEN DOORS TO EVANGELIZE SUDAN'S UNREACHED GROUPS In eastern
Sudan refugees and nomadic Muslims are largely unreached by the gospel. The
Beja and Rashaida are two of the world's least-reached people groups, and
Strategic World Impact (SWI) President Kevin Turner says staff members are
building relationships with these people to reach them with the gospel. "The
last five years we've been actively working in the eastern part of Sudan,
which is really a forgotten area. Very few aid organizations get into this
area." As SWI distributes humanitarian aid, people are asking for God's
Word, opening opportunities to share the gospel on a one-on-one basis. "Then
we literally train them, equip them and encourage them so they can actually
go out and be the individuals who show a changed life." (Mission Network
News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-23 00:22:20 UTC
Permalink
POLICE ARREST 5 MILITANTS AFTER ATTACK ON BIBLE STUDENTS IN INDIA

THREATS BY COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS FORCE CLOSURE OF 2 CHURCHES

INDIA'S SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER RIGHTS FOR DALIT CHRISTIANS

JUDGE DELAYS FINAL RULING IN JORDAN CUSTODY CASE

CHRISTIANS URGED TO WRITE JAILED VIETNAMESE CHRISTIANS

WEST AFRICAN PASTORS COMMIT TO PLANT 2,000 CHURCHES IN 12 MONTHS

Today's News Stories:

POLICE ARREST 5 MILITANTS AFTER ATTACK ON BIBLE STUDENTS IN INDIA Police
have arrested five men in the wake of the vicious attack against six
students attending the Gospel for Asia (GFA) Biblical Seminary in Thiravalla
in southern India's Kerala state the morning of Sunday, Feb. 13. The
attackers were arrested after a raid conducted by the deputy superintendent
of police. Police also seized the auto rickshaws (three-wheeled taxis) used
in the abduction of the students. The Hindustan Times reported that those
arrested were affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a
militant Hindu group hostile to Christianity and other religious minorities.
The six students had been regularly visiting a community of laborers on
previous weekends, praying for the sick, caring for the needy, sharing the
love of Christ and offering hope. "The ministry there was bringing fruitful
results due to our students' continuous visits," reported a GFA field
correspondent. In the weeks before the attack, RSS members warned the
students to stop witnessing in this area. When the students arrived at a bus
stop on Feb. 13, a gang of men began abusing and assaulting them before
pushing them into the vehicle and driving them to a secluded place where
they were repeatedly beaten. All the students suffered from internal pain
and headaches, some severe. The Chennai Online news service added that
India's National Commission of Minorities will investigate the attack. The
students are expected to resume classes at the seminary this week. (Gospel
for Asia)

THREATS BY COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS FORCE CLOSURE OF 2 CHURCHES Native
missionaries working in remote jungle areas face the constant threat of
violence and extortion from Colombia's powerful guerrilla groups. Two local
churches recently closed after guerrillas forbade members from holding
services. The fighters, in their efforts to exert control in the region,
were targeting evangelical believers in part because of the effect the
gospel is having on fellow guerrillas. Those coming to Christ have been
laying down their weapons and refusing to fight. Guerrillas often stop
evangelical church services from taking place and do not allow people to
travel for "missionary purposes." One missionary wrote, "Guerrilla groups
block the roads and do not let us travel freely." Another said, "Guerrillas
have constantly threatened us, and many times we have had to obey their
commands." These commands include demanding large sums of money from
churches at random as well as charging fees at wantonly placed checkpoints
along jungle roads. (Christian Aid Mission)

INDIA'S SUPREME COURT TO CONSIDER RIGHTS FOR DALIT CHRISTIANS India's
Supreme Court has decided to study the legal implications of denying job and
education quotas to Dalit Christians. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan is
spearheading the issue in the Supreme Court on the basis of a petition filed
by the Center for Public Interest Litigation. "We are saying that this
provision is unconstitutional," Bhushan said. "It discriminates against a
person on the basis of his or her religion." Under the present quota system,
approximately 26 percent of jobs and educational placements are reserved for
members of lower castes. Initially, religious adherents were excluded from
these provisions. Due to recent lobbying efforts, the government amended the
law and included Dalit Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs under the quota system.
However, Dalit Christians and Muslims are still excluded. John Dayal,
president of the All India Catholic Union, has applauded the Supreme Court's
decision to pursue the issue. "It is a joyous day," he said. "We hope that
the Supreme Court will soon end the historic injustice that was done in 1950
to Dalits professing the Christian faith."
(Compass)

JUDGE DELAYS FINAL RULING IN JORDAN CUSTODY CASE The Muslim guardian trying
to take custody of a Christian widow's two minor children appeared before an
Islamic court in Jordan Sunday, Feb. 20, asking the judge to postpone the
scheduled hearing until March 15. A final verdict was expected Sunday from
Amman's Al-Abdali Sharia Court where Siham Qandah's lawyer was arguing an
appeals case to remove Abdullah al-Muhtadi as guardian of his client's
children. Al-Muhtadi has been accused of financial improprieties for
withdrawing nearly $17,000 from the children's trust funds. The current
appeals case is the Christian mother's last lawsuit in a three-year battle
since the Supreme Islamic Court of Jordan revoked her legal custody in
February 2002 of her 16-year-old daughter, Rawan, and
15-year-old son, Fadi. (Compass)

CHRISTIANS URGED TO WRITE JAILED VIETNAMESE CHRISTIAN A ministry that serves
the persecuted Church has started a letter-writing campaign to encourage
believers jailed for their faith in Vietnam. Last November six Vietnamese
Mennonite workers received sentences ranging from nine months to three years
because of their Christian beliefs, reported Open Doors USA President Carl
Moeller. Now he is calling on Christians worldwide to join an advocacy
campaign on the Vietnamese believers' behalf. Moeller is asking fellow
Christians to write letters of support to the jailed Mennonites. The six
Christian detainees were tortured because they refused to sign prepared
documents making false accusations against their pastor. Meanwhile, Moeller
says conditions continue to worsen for followers of Christ throughout
Vietnam. "The government there this past year has passed a repressive new
law against the underground church and the practice of unregistered
Christianity," he said. "And we all know that registered Christianity is the
government-controlled variety." There are more and more stories of
repression and persecution in Vietnam, and it's becoming increasingly
difficult for church members to worship freely or speak out about their
faith, Moeller said. (Religion Today/AgapePress)

WEST AFRICAN PASTORS COMMIT TO PLANT 2,000 CHURCHES IN 12 MONTHS More than
3,000 pastors from six countries recently gathered in the West African
nation of Burkina Faso, a country battling poverty and AIDS, for Global
Advance's Frontline Shepherds Conference. Global Advance's Jonathon Shibley
says the conference crossed denominational barriers and helped attendees
refocus their vision with an emphasis on "the Great Commission, church
planting and indigenous missionary sending." Shibley says not only did
organizers see a renewed passion among the pastors, they saw the potential
for growth. "At the end of the conference we saw an amazing response to
those that wanted to plant a new church. Literally, more than
2,000 pastors committed to plant new churches in the next 12 months in
surrounding nations in West Africa." (Mission Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-23 07:01:51 UTC
Permalink
19/02/2005 10:06 AM


ERITREAN TASK FORCE AIMS TO PURGE COUNTRY OF CHRISTIANS

In the wake of the arrest of 31 more Christians in Eritrea, evidence is
emerging of a Task Force dedicated to ridding the country of targeted
Christian denominations.

According to Compass Direct news agency, another 31 Eritrean Christians
have been jailed over the past ten days, making a total of 187 arrests for
'illegal' Christian activities since the beginning of the year.

In 2002 the Eritrean government ordered the closure of all churches that
were not affiliated with the Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran
denominations. According to reliable reports, the regime has now formed a
Task Force to eradicate Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians from
Eritreaby the end of 2005.

CSW has also received reports which indicate that people from the capital
Asmara were told to inform the police and their local administration
offices about any Christians and houses where 'menfesawyan' (spiritual
people) come together so they could be arrested. Hotels and halls are now
banned from renting their premises to these Christians and many have had
their property confiscated and been heavily fined. Moreover, in certain
areas, landlords are forbidden from letting their properties to Christians
from 'forbidden 'denominations.

14 members of the KaleHiwotChurchin Adi-Tekelzan, 20 miles north of Asmara,
were taken into custody on February 4 during a Bible study at the home of
their pastor. They were last known to be at the town's police station.

The day before, Professor Senere Zaid of the Agriculture Faculty at
EritreaUniversitywas arrested in Asmara. Local police officials had mounted
a two-week search for him after finding his name on the rental contract of
a building used for worship by the Kidane Mehrete revival group.

After a foiled police raid on one of their meeting places, Professor Zaid
hid to avoid being arrested and had not been present at the targeted
gathering, which had broken up before the police arrived.

When Professor Zaid decided to turn himself in to police commanders on
February 3, he was promptly jailed at an Asmarapolice station. Professor
Zaid is married with two young children.

A reliable witness said: "Senere's only "crime" is his determination to
worship Jesus Christ according to his conscience...We have a nation without
a responsible regime and university officials and teachers who keep silent
while their colleagues suffer."

He added: "Not only traditional religious leaders, intellectuals and
businessmen inside Eritreaare keeping quiet, but also believers outside
Eritrea. May God forgive us for our silence and may God protect our
brothers and sisters inside the prisons of Eritrea. The wider family
members of these believers are also suffering. Especially wives and
children are left behind without any form of income and support."

On February 12, 15 Christian women that had gathered in a private home for
prayer were arrested and jailed at the police station in Keren, Eritrea's
third-largest town 40 miles northwest of Asmara. Local authorities
reportedly described the evangelical believers as "a threat to national
security."

However, "all the sisters exposed to imprisonment and insult by the
authorities in Keren were gathered merely for the purpose of prayer, not
any political purpose," one of their colleagues confirmed.

Meanwhile, Compass has documented the arrest of a medical doctor during the
last week of January. Dr Segid was arrested in Keren during the last week
of January. The physician has now been transferred to military confinement
at the Mai-Serwa military camp.

There are believed to have been dozens more arrested and imprisoned during
their national service in the Eritrean army since the new year. Several
hundred more evangelical Protestant believers, many of them soldiers caught
worshipping during their active military service, also remain imprisoned
for refusing to recant their faith.

One person who was arrested at the start of the year, five kilometres
outside Asmara, said they were forced to walk barefoot to cargo containers:
"In Mai Serwa they put us (around 30 believers) into a small container. We
actually couldn't breathe and we thought we are going to die of
suffocation. At that moment we shouted and called the guards and begged them
to open the container so that we could breathe. The guards replied: "Those
responsible with the key have left for Asmaraso keep quiet until they come
back tomorrow." In the morning they opened the door but all of us lied
fainted. We had no power even to utter words. But God saved us and I am
here among you to witness this horrible deed."

Eritrean church leader Dr Berhane Asmelash, who now lives in exile in the
UK, said: "The situation is getting worse and worse and the government is
collecting people from weddings, from their houses and from the streets if
they are Christians.

"We call on the international community to intervene in a situation which I
find difficult to put into words."

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW, said: "These purges which are
being carried out against Christians in Eritreaare extremely disturbing.
Reports of a Task Force dedicated to this carry alarming resonances with
the persecution of Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe. CSW joins with Eritrean
Christians in pleading with the international community to speak up on
their behalf before it is too late."

For more information, please contact Richard Chilvers, Communications
Manager at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on www.csw.org.uk

~~~

There is a website for the Eritrean embassy in London with details of the
Australian embassy if you want to register your concern with them.

The details are
Ambassador: His Excellency Mr Asmeron Abraha Ma' Ashio
16 Bulwarra Close
O'Malley
ACT 2606
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-24 04:37:12 UTC
Permalink
MAF PLANE CRASHES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA, KILLING 2 CREW MEMBERS

ERITREAN POLICE FORCES DETAIN 131 CHILDREN AT ORTHODOX CHURCH

FORMER CHRISTIAN PRISONER IN CHINA TESTIFIES OF TORTURE, ABUSE

HINDUS ATTACK 280 CHRISTIAN STUDENTS ON WAY TO GRADUATION IN INDIA

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA SUSPECTED OF MURDERING EVANGELIST

MISSION LEADER POINTS TO INCREASING PERSECUTION IN INDIA

Today's News Stories:

MAF PLANE CRASHES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA, KILLING 2 CREW MEMBERS A Mission
Aviation Fellowship (MAF) aircraft crashed in a remote area of Papua New
Guinea the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 22, killing the pilot and copilot,
both from New Zealand. Capt. Chris Hansen of Rotorua and Capt. Richard West
of Auckland sustained fatal injuries when the Twin Otter they were flying
crashed while circling the Wobegon airstrip near Tabubil in the country's
highlands. The cabin attendant and 10 passengers suffered only minor
injuries, and most walked to the nearby village of Bimin. A helicopter and
various MAF aircraft were dispatched to the accident site, and a clinic was
set up at Agali with doctors flown in by MAF. The cabin attendant and one
passenger were later flown to the Tabubil Hospital for observation. In
conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority, MAF-Australia has begun an
investigation into the accident. The families of the flight crew will be
flown to Mt. Hagen for support and a memorial service. Debriefing and
counseling is being arranged for the staff. MAF planes regularly fly to more
than 300 of Papua New Guinea's remotest airstrips, providing a lifeline for
the isolated churches and communities. Efforts will be made to continue
providing air service in the Tabubil region. (Mission Aviation Fellowship)

ERITREAN POLICE FORCES DETAIN 131 CHILDREN AT ORTHODOX CHURCH A group of
policemen in the northeastern African country of Eritrea rounded up 131
children ranging from ages 2 to 18 at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb.
19, as they were attending Christian instruction classes. The children were
apprehended at Medhane-Alem Orthodox Church in the capital city of Asmara
when a truck with the policemen arrived. An eyewitness said the police put
the children in the truck and took them to the nearby police station where
they registered the children's names and addresses. After the children were
put in a hall at the police station, they started to sing in a loud voice,
"I am not afraid of persecution, hardships and even death. Nobody can
separate me from the love of Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and he gave
me new life." The policemen ordered the children to stop singing, saying:
"You must shut up. This is a police station." But the children refused to
stop singing. The authorities then turned on a television and turned up the
volume. The children protested, and the policemen started to beat them.
Children less than the age of 14 were released that afternoon and told to
come back on Monday with their parents. The remaining 30 children are still
being held and have been transferred to two other police stations. The
church has been targeted by a special task force after all the charismatic
churches were ordered to close. The task force was reportedly set up by the
Eritrean government. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide/Compass)

FORMER CHRISTIAN PRISONER IN CHINA TESTIFIES OF TORTURE, ABUSE Liu Xianzhi,
34, a member of the South China Church, told a press conference about her
experiences of torture, sexual abuse and arbitrary imprisonment by Chinese
police -- experiences that continue to haunt her. She escaped from China
last month after serving her sentence in a labor camp, making Christmas
lights and rugs. In 2001 police arrested and tortured Liu, coercing her to
falsely testify that the pastor of the South China Church, Gong Shengliang,
had raped her. She is one of 8,903 members of the South China Church whom
police have arrested for their religious beliefs, including Gong who is
serving a life sentence in prison based on multiple confessions obtained
through torture. (Voice of the Martyrs/Assist News Service)

HINDUS ATTACK 280 CHRISTIAN STUDENTS ON WAY TO GRADUATION IN INDIA Activists
of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bajrang Dal beat and robbed 280
Christian students early Saturday, Feb. 19, while the group was on its way
to Emmanuel Mission's graduation ceremony in Kota, India. The
2:30 a.m. attack occurred as the travelers disembarked from a train carrying
them to Kota in northwestern India's Rajasthan state for the event. Local
police later rounded up the students and kept them in custody at a local
police station until the following evening. Alleging that Emmanuel Mission
had lured the visiting students to Kota with promises of a bicycle and 250
rupees (US$5.70) in exchange for converting to Christianity, police
officials forced the students to return home. No attackers were arrested. At
press time RSS and Bajrang Dal activists were threatening to shut down this
weekend's graduation ceremony that annually attracts 5,000 Christian
visitors to the city. (Compass)

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA SUSPECTED OF MURDERING EVANGELIST The body of
25-year-old Christian evangelist Pastor Narayan was found in the small town
of Channapatana in southern India's Karnataka state Friday, Feb.
11. Doctors who performed an autopsy said Narayan had been brutally
murdered -- the corpse had broken ribs and teeth and injuries to the
abdomen. However, the "official" report of the autopsy suggested it was a
suicide, said Sajan George of the Global Council of Indian Christians. He
suspects that Hindu extremists were responsible for Narayan's death and that
their sympathizers are engaged in a cover-up. A fact-finding mission to the
district revealed that attacks on minority Christians have been going on for
years, and several churches have been destroyed. George has demanded that
the government conduct an official inquiry through the Central Bureau of
Investigation. (Compass)

MISSION LEADER POINTS TO INCREASING PERSECUTION IN INDIA "We have faced more
persecution for preaching the gospel in India during the last 10 years than
in the history of the country since independence from Great Britain in
1946," said K.P. Yohannan, the India-born founder and president of Gospel
for Asia (GFA), during an interview at the recent National Religious
Broadcasters convention in Anaheim, Calif. GFA is a ministry involved in
evangelism and church planting in the unreached regions of Asia. "We serve
the Lord in 10 Asian countries [in the] 10/40 Window," he explained. "In
India, with more than 1 billion people, half of the nation has never heard
the Christmas story yet, and we've been [telling it] for the last 25 years.
Today we have more than 14,000 full-time missionaries, pastors, evangelists
doing the ministry, and seeing millions of people impacted with the gospel."
However, he said the work is difficult and often results in persecution.

Yohannan also told about his recent visit to Sri Lanka to minister to the
tsunami survivors. Despite the reports and photos that he had seen, he said.
"I was not prepared emotionally to actually be there on ground zero and
watch the pain and the aftermath. I took a flight to Colombo and traveled 10
hours by road to the area where I was told all 10,000 children who either
lost both parents or one parent are in camps. As the dead bodies were being
drawn to the shores kids were running all over the place looking at these
dead bodies crying for Mommy and Daddy." He said he met missionaries who are
"emotionally completely drained, and we had to ask quite a good number of
them to please go home and rest for a few days."

Yohannan added that his ministry is launching what is believed to be India's
first Christian television channel with the potential of reaching viewers
nationwide. "The media [television and radio] are the most powerful things
in the world," he said. "It is extremely important and crucial we preach the
gospel of the New Testament." (Assist News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-24 23:05:50 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 9:38 AM

Today's Headlines:

CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES ENCOURAGE IRANIANS AFTER DEADLY QUAKE

880 SUDANESE SLAVES LIBERATED, THOUSANDS REMAIN ENSLAVED

'RETIRED' AMERICAN PASTOR SEEKS TO PLANT 1,000 CHURCHES IN ETHIOPIA

NATIVE MISSIONARIES FIGHT TABOOS TO AID ELDERLY IN MALAWI

CONTROVERSIAL TELEVANGELIST GENE SCOTT DIES AFTER STROKE

MINISTRY BRINGS EDUCATION TO GHANA'S STREET CHILDREN

Today's News Stories:

CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES ENCOURAGE IRANIANS AFTER DEADLY QUAKE Christian
ministries are bringing both physical and spiritual encouragement to the
people of Iran after an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck
the southeastern city of Zarand Tuesday, Feb. 22. Approximately 500 people
died and another 1,000 were injured in the region. This is in the same area
as Bam where a devastating earthquake struck on Dec. 26, 2003, leaving more
than 40,000 people dead. SAT-7, a Christian television ministry that reaches
the Middle East and North Africa, broadcasts in Farsi to this area where
there are few Christian ministries or believers. "People in Iran right now
are very eager to hear ideas about Christianity," said Executive Director
Debbie Brink. "They're not real satisfied with their situation in Iran and
are very eager to get outside information through satellite." Meanwhile,
specialists from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance involved in the ongoing
response to the Bam earthquake are assessing the situation to determine an
appropriate response. Plans are to send a couple to Iran for continued
response to the Bam earthquake and identified needs related to the
earthquake in the Zarand region. (Mission Network News/Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance)

880 SUDANESE SLAVES LIBERATED, THOUSANDS REMAIN ENSLAVED Some 880 liberated
slaves returned to their homeland in southern Sudan between Jan. 23 and Feb.
2. Of the freed slaves, 607 were transported by the Government of Sudan's
Committee for the Eradication of the Abduction of Women and Children. The
remaining 273 slaves were liberated from Baggara Arab cattle camps by
Arab-Dinka Peace Committees. Christian Solidarity International is providing
food and survival kits to both groups of freed slaves and is helping local
authorities reunite them with their families. Most of the returning slaves
reported "gross abuse" by their Arab Muslim masters, including beatings,
mutilations, death threats and forced conversion to Islam. The majority of
women and older girls said they were raped while in bondage. Tens of
thousands of black Sudanese women and children remain enslaved in Sudan --
mainly in Darfur and neighboring Kordofan. (American Anti-Slavery Group)

'RETIRED' AMERICAN PASTOR SEEKS TO PLANT 1,000 CHURCHES IN ETHIOPIA A
retired American Pentecostal pastor is leading a campaign to plant 1,000
churches in Ethiopia. Nearly two years ago, Charles Blair, who spent more
than 50 years as founding pastor of Calvary Temple in Denver, an Assembly of
God congregation, before he retired in 1998, launched the Ethiopian Call
which seeks to raise enough money to plant 1,000 churches in
Benishangul-Gumuz. Located in western Ethiopia near the Sudan border,
Benishangul-Gumuz has a population of 600,000. So far enough money has been
raised to sponsor 649 churches. "We believe God's going to give us the
nation," Blair said in an interview with Charisma magazine. Blair has been
working in Ethiopia since the early 1990s when communism fell in the East
African nation. At the invitation of the Evangelical Churches Fellowship of
Ethiopia, a consortium of more than 20 denominations, Blair began training
promising young leaders to evangelize their nation and plant churches in
remote villages. More than 60,000 Ethiopians have converted to Christianity
through these efforts. Yaregal Aysheshim, president of Benishangul-Gumuz,
said he has noticed a marked difference in the villages in his region: crime
is down, the AIDS infection rate has dropped and alcoholism has decreased.
(Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

NATIVE MISSIONARIES FIGHT TABOOS TO AID ELDERLY IN MALAWI A team of native
missionaries recently visited a rural village in the Sub-Saharan African
country of Malawi to distribute 50 bags of grain to the neediest people,
including many elderly. Older men and women are discarded in many African
communities as people no longer having value. Even worse, the elderly are
often feared to be sorcerers. The leader of the team that delivered the food
wrote, "Older people are blamed whenever their children or their young
relatives lose their babies, or if one dies untimely. This is part of most
African young people's beliefs about the elderly." As a result, many elderly
people are left to fend for themselves and often slowly die from hunger. In
addition to providing food for the elderly in Malawi, this ministry repairs
their homes, thatching damaged roofs with grasses. Native missionaries hope
by such actions to change the mindsets of African young people who have been
conditioned to see older people as witches and sorcerers. (Christian Aid
Mission)

CONTROVERSIAL TELEVANGELIST GENE SCOTT DIES AFTER STROKE Controversial
cigar-smoking televangelist Gene Scott died Monday, Feb. 21, after suffering
a stroke. He was 75. For three decades Scott was the pastor of Los Angeles
University Cathedral, a Protestant congregation with more than 15,000
members, the Associated Press reported. In the mid-1970s he began hosting a
nightly live television broadcast of Bible teaching. His nightly talk show
and Sunday-morning church services aired on radio and television stations as
well as the Internet to about 180 countries via his University Network. The
son of a traveling preacher, Scott was born in Buhl, Idaho, and later moved
with his family moved to Gridley, Calif. He wrote more than 20 books and
earned a doctorate in philosophies of education from Stanford University in
1957. Scott is survived by his wife, Melissa. (Assist News Service)

MINISTRY BRINGS EDUCATION TO GHANA'S STREET CHILDREN Lorella Rouster of
Every Child Ministries reports that the organization has just opened Haven
Academy, a special school for street kids in Ghana. "We are operating
preschool through second grade," she said, "with plans to continue adding
classes every year." The United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF) has reported that there are 30,000 children living on the streets
in Ghana, most between the ages of 10 and 18, though there are many who are
far younger. Many have been there for several months or years, and in their
struggle for survival, education falls by the wayside. Rouster said. "It's a
big challenge because these kids have lost so much ground. There's so much
that needs to be covered to enable them to catch up with other kids their
age." Education is just one component of the ministry focus. "It's a
Christ-centered education, but we also hope to see them catch up with other
children, be able to complete a normal education and to develop the gifts,
skills and abilities that God has put in them," Rouster said. (Mission
Network News)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-02-26 00:51:45 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 10:24 AM

PASTOR CHARGED WITH ORGANIZING 'ILLEGAL WORSHIP' IN BELARUS

SUDAN'S ANGLICANS STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CHURCH HEADQUARTERS

MOROCCAN LEADER INVITES EVANGELICALS TO 'BREAKTHROUGH DIALOGUE'

NIGERIANS TAKE TRAINING TO TRANSLATE BIBLE INTO 500 LANGUAGES

FORMER MUSLIM NAMED DEAN OF LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Today's News Stories:

PASTOR CHARGED WITH ORGANIZING 'ILLEGAL WORSHIP' IN BELARUS Pastor
Vyacheslav Goncharenko of the Minsk-based charismatic New Life Church in
Belarus is again facing prosecution for organizing worship services without
state permission. The 600-member congregation of New Life Church has been
worshiping in an unused cowshed since 2002 after being barred from public
facilities. Belarus' 2002 religion law requires state permission for
religious gatherings in premises not specially designed for worship.
Authorities recently fined the church for meeting in the facility. All
official agencies have approved requests to change the designated land usage
to that of a church -- except for the religious affairs department in Minsk.
(Forum 18 News Service)

SUDAN'S ANGLICANS STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CHURCH HEADQUARTERS Nine months after
the Anglican Church headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan, was confiscated at
gunpoint, the Arab company now claiming ownership of the property has
started making renovations to the building in violation of a court
injunction. The June 2004 judicial order forbids Al-Ghazal Residence
Enterprises from tampering with the property until the courts resolve the
ownership dispute. The attorney for the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS)
filed objections against the renovations before the Khartoum Public Court,
prompting a written response from the construction company's lawyer
acknowledging the court injunction -- and denying that his clients were
working on the premises. During a visit to Sudan last month, former
Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey raised the issue in a face-to-face
meeting with Sudanese First Vice President Ali Osman Taha. Part of the
Anglican Communion, the ECS is the largest Christian church in Sudan with
about 5 million members. (Compass)

MOROCCAN LEADER INVITES EVANGELICALS TO 'BREAKTHROUGH DIALOGUE' Senior
pastors from across the U.S. are invited to respond to a "Macedonian call"
to serve as "official observers" in Morocco at a "breakthrough dialogue"
between American evangelical leaders and Moroccan Islamic officials. The
event is scheduled for May 1-9 in the cultural capital of Marrakech. The
invitation is being extended by the government of King Mohammed VI of
Morocco. A press release indicates there will also be Christian humanitarian
relief teams working at various locations during the event as well as the
first-ever large-scale Christian music festival featuring some popular
American contemporary Christian musicians. A letter of invitation is being
circulated to interested pastors by Rev. Rob Schenck, president of U.S.
Faith and Action in the nation's capital. Schenck explains that Morocco is
an unusual Arab Muslim nation. "It is consistently ranked as one of the
safest countries in the Arab world," he said. "The people are also intrigued
with evangelical Christians and our message." Schenck says he is "convinced
that this is the crack in the door of the Islamic world."
(Assist News Service)

NIGERIANS TAKE TRAINING TO TRANSLATE BIBLE INTO 500 LANGUAGES In Nigeria
there are still 500 languages without Scripture translation, and people who
speak those languages have no access to God's Word. The Seed Company is
addressing their need by holding workshops in the Gombe region, training and
equipping national believers to be translators. President Roy Peterson says
30 people are being trained simultaneously. They will be working on
translating the Gospel of Luke into nine different languages. This method of
translation work is important because violence and unrest is prevalent in
Nigeria, and no one knows how long The Seed Company will be able to stay in
the country, Peterson explained. The workshops have been met with
enthusiasm. Peterson reported that in one village he visited, "the entire
community was there to sing and celebrate and thank us for bringing the
training so they might become the translators for their people group."
(Mission Network News)

FORMER MUSLIM NAMED DEAN OF LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Dr. Jerry
Falwell announced the appointment of a converted Muslim, Friday, Feb. 4, to
head the evangelical seminary that he founded in 1971. Falwell said that Dr.
Ergun Caner, a converted Sunni Muslim and son of an ulema
(Muslim scholar), is the first former Muslim to become the dean of a U.S.
evangelical seminary. Caner will become dean of Liberty Baptist Theological
Seminary on the campus of Liberty University. He replaces Danny Lovett who
announced that he was accepting the role of president at Tennessee Temple
University in Chattanooga, Tenn., after 12 years at Liberty. Caner, 38, has
been a professor at Liberty's School of Religion for two years. "He is today
one of the most electrifying speakers and defenders of the faith that I have
ever heard," Falwell said. Caner also has become a voice for evangelical
Christianity in the national media, debating Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and
Baha'i leaders on more than 50 college and university campuses.

A Turkish immigrant who converted to Christianity in 1982, Caner immigrated
with his family to the U.S. to build mosques in the Midwest. It was while he
was in high school in Ohio that a young friend invited him to church and led
him to Christ, prompting his family to disown him. Caner later received his
bachelor's degree in biblical studies and languages and received a master's
degree in history from the Criswell College in Dallas, Texas. In 1994 he
received his master's degree in divinity from Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. In 1995 he completed a master's
degree in theology at Southeastern, and in 2000 he completed his doctorate
in theology from the University of South Africa in residence in
Johannesburg. (Assist News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14400+ articles, 3100 clean jokes/stories, 1.5 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-08 04:02:05 UTC
Permalink
NORTH KOREA AGAIN TOPS LIST OF WORLD'S WORST PERSECUTING NATIONS

ARAB MISSIONARY COUPLE OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SHARE GOSPEL

MUSLIM MILITANTS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA KILL 36 CHRISTIAN VILLAGERS

PERSECUTION OF EVANGELICALS PERSISTS IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO

CHURCHES SHOW TREND TO MORE HANDS-ON CONTACT WITH MISSIONARIES

SURVEY SHOWS THAT FAITH OF U.S. TEENS IS OFTEN JUST 'SKIN-DEEP'

Today's News Stories:

NORTH KOREA AGAIN TOPS LIST OF WORLD'S WORST PERSECUTING NATIONS For the
third straight year, North Korea has topped Open Doors' annual "World Watch
List" for its brutal persecution of Christians. Also making the top five on
the 2005 list were Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Laos and Iran. "There are a lot of
factors that go into the list," says Open Doors' Jerry Dykstra. "Obviously,
the ability to practice your faith in these countries, the degree of
persecution, the freedom of religion, whether you can worship or not." Saudi
Arabia again held the second spot on the list followed by Vietnam, Laos and
Iran. Other countries listed in the top 10 are Maldives, Somalia, Bhutan,
China and Afghanistan. Newcomers to the top 10 are Somalia and Afghanistan.
Dropping out of the top 10 are Turkmenistan (No. 12) and Myanmar (No. 17).
Somalia moved up four places to seventh in the rankings primarily because
"Christian converts from Islam are paying a high price for their new faith,
especially in rural parts of this most lawless country in the world." The
purpose for the list? "It's really a reminder to pray for our brothers and
sisters in these countries and we need to keep that in mind daily, in our
prayers," Dykstra said. "It's a reminder of what is happening in those
countries and how we can pray for them." The World Watch List is based on
information from Open Doors' indigenous contacts, field workers and members
of the persecuted church. (Mission Network News/Open Doors)

ARAB MISSIONARY COUPLE OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SHARE GOSPEL In much of the
Arab world, changing one's religion -- particularly if that religion is
Islam -- presents many problems and, in some cases, dangers. Such is the
case for Abu and Rania (not their real names for security reasons), a native
missionary couple who came from a Muslim background. In their respective
countries it is illegal for two people from different religious backgrounds
to marry, especially if one has changed religions. As a result, the couple
was forced to marry in Lebanon where such marriages are allowed. Yet in
their home countries, including the one in which they are ministering, they
refuse to acknowledge a marriage as legitimate unless it is officially
registered with the government. Rania is blacklisted in her home country and
faces harassment and difficulty each time she tries to visit family or
conduct missionary work there. One of the couple's gravest worries is that
they cannot "legally" have children. Without the problematic official
marriage certificate, any children they have will be considered illegitimate
and denied birth certificates. The children would also be officially
designated Muslims. Despite these conditions, Abu and Rania have not sought
asylum in Europe or the U.S. "We know that God's will for us is to make Him
known in this needy area of the world," they said. The couple has a fruitful
work among Muslim students. If they were granted asylum abroad, they would
be unable to return to their country to do missionary work. (Christian Aid
Mission)

MUSLIM MILITANTS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA KILL 36 CHRISTIAN VILLAGERS Muslim
militants attacked the Christian village of Demsa in northern Nigeria's
Adamawa state Friday, Feb. 4, killing 36 people, destroying property and
displacing about 3,000 others. The surviving Christians have taken refuge in
Mayolope in the neighboring state of Taraba. Alhaji Saleh Jatau, a Muslim
who spoke to Compass in Mayolope, confirmed the attack on Demsa. However, he
said the militants do not have the support of the Muslim community when they
attack Christians. While visiting the displaced Christians on Feb. 7, Rev.
Jolly Nyame, governor of the state of Taraba, expressed sadness over the
attacks and said the country could progress only through peaceful
coexistence. "No community can move forward while crisis takes the center
stage. It is only peace that can usher in development in the country," he
told the refugees. "Only tolerance and forgiveness can bring about peaceful
coexistence among people of different religious backgrounds." He added that
the Nigerian government needs to check the activities of Muslim militants
who have provoked crises in different parts of the country. The attack on
Demsa by Muslim militants is the second in Adamawa state. (Religion
Today/Compass)

PERSECUTION OF EVANGELICALS PERSISTS IN CHIAPAS, MEXICO Although the
problems of religious intolerance in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas
have lessened in recent years, persecution of evangelical Christians still
exists in small communities. In San Isidro Chejilte, community leaders have
vowed to expel 34 evangelicals as soon as a law takes effect that will
transfer private land ownership to community ownership. In another case, the
town leaders of El Retiro have forbidden the growing congregation of
Heaven's Gate Church of Prophecy from constructing any type of building to
use as a church. In Los Pozos, local authorities have threatened
evangelicals with expulsion. After two years in exile, approximately 90
Indian evangelicals have been allowed to return to their homes in the town
of 20 de Noviembre, but they found their properties were damaged. Elsewhere,
a child living near Mexico City required medical treatment after her teacher
beat her while repeating, "We don't want evangelicals here!" (Compass)

CHURCHES SHOW TREND TO MORE HANDS-ON CONTACT WITH MISSIONARIES Sherrie
Johnson of the Evangelical Free Church of America says that churches are
taking more of a personal interest in the missionary families they support,
especially with the trend of more short-term missions. "Churches now are
very interested in having more hands-on contact with their missionaries
overseas, because I think more people are going over short term," she says.
"We have a lot of early retirees who give of their time and their energy.
They come back and they stir up their local church." Johnson says the
hands-on participation means relationships have been built for the
missionaries to come home to. "There's a great deal more understanding of
their everyday life, what they live through, as far as the political
situations in a lot of countries, and just the stresses and joys of
missionary work. It's not a secondhand thing, a thing that comes in a letter
anymore. It's more real." (Mission Network News)

SURVEY SHOWS THAT FAITH OF U.S. TEENS IS OFTEN JUST 'SKIN-DEEP' A new survey
finds while many American teens are "religiously active," few are
well-educated in their faith -- resulting in a shallow religiosity. The
four-year National Study of Youth and Religion was conducted by 133
researchers and consultants led by sociology professor Chris Smith of the
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. A third of the teenagers said they
were consistently involved in religious organizations and practices. Another
third said they were "somewhat" involved. However, Smith says that
religiosity tends to be shallow. "A lot of Christian teens really had not
much at all to say about who Jesus was, what grace was," the researcher
says. Even though they said they believe in God and that faith is important,
they have a hard time explaining what they believe and how faith makes any
difference in their life. Smith describes many teens' religious knowledge as
"meager, nebulous and often fallacious." Smith urges parents to use their
leadership role to train their children in God's Word. (Religion
Today/AgapePress)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14500+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-09 00:51:54 UTC
Permalink
INSURGENT GROUP IN INDIA THREATENS TO KILL MISSION LEADERS

2 AMERICAN MISSIONARIES BACK HOME AFTER DETENTION IN DUBAI

PAKISTANI MAN SEVERELY BEATS HIS WIFE FOR REFUSING TO EMBRACE ISLAM

UKRAINIAN CHRISTIANS UPBEAT 4 MONTHS AFTER PRESIDENT'S ELECTION

MINISTRY LAUNCHES SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM IN POOR AREA OF MEXICO

DONKEYS BECOME BIBLE COURIERS IN SOME MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES

Today's News Stories:

INSURGENT GROUP IN INDIA THREATENS TO KILL MISSION LEADERS An insurgent
group in the northeastern India's Assam state has threatened to kill Gospel
for Asia's leaders in the area unless the ministry pays an extortion demand
of 8 million rupees (US$183,465) by Thursday, March 10. GFA President K.P.
Yohannan said the ministry received an official letter from the group's
commander last week warning local Christian leaders, "If you do not respect
our organization or if you approach the [government], you will be calling
for your total destruction." Yohannan said that such threats are not
uncommon in the state "where even the government is not in total control. We
have already had pastors killed by the insurgents, and most other Christian
missions have pulled out because of these threats. Some Christian ministries
have urged us to leave as well, but our leaders on the scene say that if we
pull out, no one will be there to share the gospel and minister to the
people. In all of our years in Assam, this is the worst and most severe
problem we have faced." GFA has five Bible colleges, 70 Bridge of Hope
schools, and more than 750 congregations in Assam. "These insurgents
admitted in their threat letter that we are doing good work among the
people, and even commended GFA for our ministry. But they want money and
will kill to get it," Yohannan said. (Gospel for Asia)

2 AMERICAN MISSIONARIES BACK HOME AFTER DETENTION IN DUBAI Two short-term
missionaries who were arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday,
Feb. 19, for distributing Bibles and other Christian literature, are safely
home in the U.S. after being deported from the country late last week. Both
had been held under house arrest for about two weeks after police caught
them handing out Bibles at a large international market as part of a mission
trip with Tom Cox World Ministries. Marie Bush,
55, of Waxahachie, Texas, and Vivian Gilmer, 72, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.,
have been reunited with their families. "God was in total control," Bush
said in an interview with Baptist Press. "God will reveal His purpose, and
nothing was by accident. Everything is in God's hands." Although the
oil-rich nation on the coast of the Persian Gulf prohibits the distribution
of religious tracts, Bush and other members of the team had been told that
Bibles could be passed out as gifts from Americans. While the two women
won't be allowed to return to United Arab Emirates, they said they are
willing to go wherever God leads them. Gilmer, a veteran missionary, is
planning a vacation trip to Hawaii and other religious work. She said the
past two weeks have not swayed her faith, although she did have a little jet
lag. "I'd be willing to go back, if the Lord is willing," Gilmer said. "This
wouldn't stop me from working for God." (WorldWide Religious News/Sun
News/Religion Today/Baptist Press)

PAKISTANI MAN SEVERELY BEATS HIS WIFE FOR REFUSING TO EMBRACE ISLAM A
Christian Pakistani woman named Honey is fighting for her life in a local
hospital after her Muslim husband severely beat her for refusing to embrace
Islam, The Pakistan Christian Post reported. Her husband, Faisal Raees,
broke a number of her bones as well as her nose and teeth with an iron rod
and damaged parts of her body that will leave her unable to bear children if
she survives. Honey, a Christian from Karachi, Pakistan, ran away from home
and married Faisal Raees, the "man of her dreams" and a Muslim, against her
parents' wishes. But the dream began to evaporate when Raees started
exerting pressure on his wife to become a Muslim. The pressure peaked on
Sunday, Feb. 20, when Honey's older brother, Richard, came to see her. When
Richard tried to stop the man from hurting his sister, Raees hit him and
threatened him with a gun. Then he bound Richard with tape and began beating
Honey with an iron rod until she lost consciousness in a pool of blood. When
some neighbors finally intervened, Raees fled, and they took his wife to a
local hospital. Honey's family is in hiding while her husband remains free.
Police have yet to put together a case against Raees. Her brothers have
received threats that all the members of the family would be killed and
their younger sisters abducted and raped if they report the matter to
police. Dr. Fazia, the hospital's medical examiner, said in an interview
with The Daily Naya Akhbar that she had never encountered such extreme
violence to a woman. (Assist News Service)

UKRAINIAN CHRISTIANS UPBEAT 4 MONTHS AFTER PRESIDENT'S ELECTION Christians
in Ukraine continue to be optimistic four months after voters elected
President Victor Yushchenko, says Todd Marshall of Kiev-based CB
International. In an interview with radio station WBNH, Marshall said the
new president is doing more than giving "lip service" to religious freedom.
"He has been working to eliminate the Ministry of Religion which has kept so
many churches and ministries under its thumb for so many years. And when
asked why, he said, 'The state has no business in the affairs of the church,
and the church has one head and that is Jesus Christ the Lord.'" Marshall
said these changes could have a historic spiritual impact on the country.
"What's happening in Ukraine now will affect the future of Eurasia as much
as the Reformation affected Europe," he said. "The revolution was the easy
part. Now the hard part is to work day by day and fight corruption in
society and challenge believers to take their faith outside the walls of the
church." Meanwhile, Ukrainian believers are ready to take advantage of their
newfound religious freedom. SEND International and a new Ukraine-based
ministry, Gospel to the Nations, will work with local partners to help
evangelize Central Asia and the Balkan region. SEND will provide training,
encouragement and some start-up assistance for Gospel to the Nations. Gospel
to the Nations expects to have candidates ready by January. (Mission Network
News)

MINISTRY LAUNCHES SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM IN POOR AREA OF MEXICO While Sunday
school is something that North American churches may take for granted, that
isn't the case for many churches in Oaxaca, Mexico. A team from Floresta, a
Christian organization that works to reverse deforestation and poverty by
transforming the lives of the rural poor, recently returned from southern
Mexico. Ministry spokesman Armando Osorio said people walked for miles to
attend the ministry's outreach because the need is so great. "Most of these
areas have never had a children's ministry," he said. "We want to change the
local culture in how they reach the children and it's really reaping great
results." Osorio added that people in Oaxaca, one of the poorest states in
Mexico, are open to any help they can get. "A lot of them are hopeless, so
they're very open to new things," he said. "As far as the gospel, they're
very open. Throughout the summer we have missions teams go down to do Sunday
school programs, to work with the youth, even to work with adults. God is
definitely doing a mighty work." (Mission Network News)

DONKEYS BECOME BIBLE COURIERS IN SOME MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES In many closed
Arab countries, all Christian literature and distribution outlets have been
banned. Despite such restrictions, believers in some of these countries
number in the thousands. Few have access to Bibles, and those who do are
forced to use smuggled copies. Native missionaries are helping provide them
with these in creative ways. Christian workers based in neighboring, less
restrictive countries are using animals such as donkeys as secret Bible
couriers. Workers attach bundles of Christian literature to the beasts and
send them across the border where waiting accomplices secretly unload the
literature and send the animals back. This simple procedure has put Bibles
into the hands of hundreds of Christians. A growing number of these
believers come from Muslim backgrounds. Wearied or disillusioned by their
oppressive environments, many Arab Muslims have shown openness to Christ.
(Christian Aid Mission)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14500+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-09 00:52:55 UTC
Permalink
INSURGENT GROUP IN INDIA THREATENS TO KILL MISSION LEADERS

2 AMERICAN MISSIONARIES BACK HOME AFTER DETENTION IN DUBAI

PAKISTANI MAN SEVERELY BEATS HIS WIFE FOR REFUSING TO EMBRACE ISLAM

UKRAINIAN CHRISTIANS UPBEAT 4 MONTHS AFTER PRESIDENT'S ELECTION

MINISTRY LAUNCHES SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM IN POOR AREA OF MEXICO

DONKEYS BECOME BIBLE COURIERS IN SOME MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES

Today's News Stories:

INSURGENT GROUP IN INDIA THREATENS TO KILL MISSION LEADERS An insurgent
group in the northeastern India's Assam state has threatened to kill Gospel
for Asia's leaders in the area unless the ministry pays an extortion demand
of 8 million rupees (US$183,465) by Thursday, March 10. GFA President K.P.
Yohannan said the ministry received an official letter from the group's
commander last week warning local Christian leaders, "If you do not respect
our organization or if you approach the [government], you will be calling
for your total destruction." Yohannan said that such threats are not
uncommon in the state "where even the government is not in total control. We
have already had pastors killed by the insurgents, and most other Christian
missions have pulled out because of these threats. Some Christian ministries
have urged us to leave as well, but our leaders on the scene say that if we
pull out, no one will be there to share the gospel and minister to the
people. In all of our years in Assam, this is the worst and most severe
problem we have faced." GFA has five Bible colleges, 70 Bridge of Hope
schools, and more than 750 congregations in Assam. "These insurgents
admitted in their threat letter that we are doing good work among the
people, and even commended GFA for our ministry. But they want money and
will kill to get it," Yohannan said. (Gospel for Asia)

2 AMERICAN MISSIONARIES BACK HOME AFTER DETENTION IN DUBAI Two short-term
missionaries who were arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday,
Feb. 19, for distributing Bibles and other Christian literature, are safely
home in the U.S. after being deported from the country late last week. Both
had been held under house arrest for about two weeks after police caught
them handing out Bibles at a large international market as part of a mission
trip with Tom Cox World Ministries. Marie Bush,
55, of Waxahachie, Texas, and Vivian Gilmer, 72, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.,
have been reunited with their families. "God was in total control," Bush
said in an interview with Baptist Press. "God will reveal His purpose, and
nothing was by accident. Everything is in God's hands." Although the
oil-rich nation on the coast of the Persian Gulf prohibits the distribution
of religious tracts, Bush and other members of the team had been told that
Bibles could be passed out as gifts from Americans. While the two women
won't be allowed to return to United Arab Emirates, they said they are
willing to go wherever God leads them. Gilmer, a veteran missionary, is
planning a vacation trip to Hawaii and other religious work. She said the
past two weeks have not swayed her faith, although she did have a little jet
lag. "I'd be willing to go back, if the Lord is willing," Gilmer said. "This
wouldn't stop me from working for God." (WorldWide Religious News/Sun
News/Religion Today/Baptist Press)

PAKISTANI MAN SEVERELY BEATS HIS WIFE FOR REFUSING TO EMBRACE ISLAM A
Christian Pakistani woman named Honey is fighting for her life in a local
hospital after her Muslim husband severely beat her for refusing to embrace
Islam, The Pakistan Christian Post reported. Her husband, Faisal Raees,
broke a number of her bones as well as her nose and teeth with an iron rod
and damaged parts of her body that will leave her unable to bear children if
she survives. Honey, a Christian from Karachi, Pakistan, ran away from home
and married Faisal Raees, the "man of her dreams" and a Muslim, against her
parents' wishes. But the dream began to evaporate when Raees started
exerting pressure on his wife to become a Muslim. The pressure peaked on
Sunday, Feb. 20, when Honey's older brother, Richard, came to see her. When
Richard tried to stop the man from hurting his sister, Raees hit him and
threatened him with a gun. Then he bound Richard with tape and began beating
Honey with an iron rod until she lost consciousness in a pool of blood. When
some neighbors finally intervened, Raees fled, and they took his wife to a
local hospital. Honey's family is in hiding while her husband remains free.
Police have yet to put together a case against Raees. Her brothers have
received threats that all the members of the family would be killed and
their younger sisters abducted and raped if they report the matter to
police. Dr. Fazia, the hospital's medical examiner, said in an interview
with The Daily Naya Akhbar that she had never encountered such extreme
violence to a woman. (Assist News Service)

UKRAINIAN CHRISTIANS UPBEAT 4 MONTHS AFTER PRESIDENT'S ELECTION Christians
in Ukraine continue to be optimistic four months after voters elected
President Victor Yushchenko, says Todd Marshall of Kiev-based CB
International. In an interview with radio station WBNH, Marshall said the
new president is doing more than giving "lip service" to religious freedom.
"He has been working to eliminate the Ministry of Religion which has kept so
many churches and ministries under its thumb for so many years. And when
asked why, he said, 'The state has no business in the affairs of the church,
and the church has one head and that is Jesus Christ the Lord.'" Marshall
said these changes could have a historic spiritual impact on the country.
"What's happening in Ukraine now will affect the future of Eurasia as much
as the Reformation affected Europe," he said. "The revolution was the easy
part. Now the hard part is to work day by day and fight corruption in
society and challenge believers to take their faith outside the walls of the
church." Meanwhile, Ukrainian believers are ready to take advantage of their
newfound religious freedom. SEND International and a new Ukraine-based
ministry, Gospel to the Nations, will work with local partners to help
evangelize Central Asia and the Balkan region. SEND will provide training,
encouragement and some start-up assistance for Gospel to the Nations. Gospel
to the Nations expects to have candidates ready by January. (Mission Network
News)

MINISTRY LAUNCHES SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM IN POOR AREA OF MEXICO While Sunday
school is something that North American churches may take for granted, that
isn't the case for many churches in Oaxaca, Mexico. A team from Floresta, a
Christian organization that works to reverse deforestation and poverty by
transforming the lives of the rural poor, recently returned from southern
Mexico. Ministry spokesman Armando Osorio said people walked for miles to
attend the ministry's outreach because the need is so great. "Most of these
areas have never had a children's ministry," he said. "We want to change the
local culture in how they reach the children and it's really reaping great
results." Osorio added that people in Oaxaca, one of the poorest states in
Mexico, are open to any help they can get. "A lot of them are hopeless, so
they're very open to new things," he said. "As far as the gospel, they're
very open. Throughout the summer we have missions teams go down to do Sunday
school programs, to work with the youth, even to work with adults. God is
definitely doing a mighty work." (Mission Network News)

DONKEYS BECOME BIBLE COURIERS IN SOME MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES In many closed
Arab countries, all Christian literature and distribution outlets have been
banned. Despite such restrictions, believers in some of these countries
number in the thousands. Few have access to Bibles, and those who do are
forced to use smuggled copies. Native missionaries are helping provide them
with these in creative ways. Christian workers based in neighboring, less
restrictive countries are using animals such as donkeys as secret Bible
couriers. Workers attach bundles of Christian literature to the beasts and
send them across the border where waiting accomplices secretly unload the
literature and send the animals back. This simple procedure has put Bibles
into the hands of hundreds of Christians. A growing number of these
believers come from Muslim backgrounds. Wearied or disillusioned by their
oppressive environments, many Arab Muslims have shown openness to Christ.
(Christian Aid Mission)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14500+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-10 01:49:05 UTC
Permalink
FANATICS IN INDIA SUSPECTED OF HIRING NATIVE MISSIONARY'S KILLER

KAZAKHSTAN'S NEW 'EXTREMISM LAW' CONCERNS CHRISTIANS

SENIOR PASTOR OF MEGA-CHURCH IN U.S. ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

FORMER ANGLICAN BISHOP, CRICKET CAPTAIN DAVID SHEPPARD DIES AT 75

BREAD FOR THE WORLD LAUNCHES 'MAKE HUNGER HISTORY' CAMPAIGN

INNOVATIVE VET CLINICS OPEN MINISTRY DOORS AMONG NOMADIC PEOPLE

Today's News Stories:

FANATICS IN INDIA SUSPECTED OF HIRING NATIVE MISSIONARY'S KILLER P.M.
Thomas, founder and director of the Himalaya Evangelical Mission, reported
that a native missionary was murdered in eastern India's Orissa state on
Tuesday, Feb. 15. He said that Gilbert Raj went to Orissa five years ago and
began working as a missionary in the village of Raja Kariar, doing
evangelistic outreach, church planting and social ministry. On the day of
his death, Raj was taking two children home from an exam on his motorcycle
when P. Prakasan, the owner of a motorcycle repair shop who presumably had
taken an interest in Raj's ministry, stopped him and invited him into his
house for a cup of coffee. Raj declined, but Prakasan insisted and told the
children to wait by the roadside. Once inside, Prakasan allegedly killed the
missionary, left the house, locked the doors and told the students to make
their own way to the hostel as he and the missionary were going to visit a
village and would not be back until evening. When Raj failed to return home,
his wife went to the police, and his body was found in Prakasan's house the
next day. Prakasan has not been located since the murder, but subsequent
reports from Orissa imply that he had been hired by some fanatical
anti-Christians to kill the missionary. (Assist News Service)

KAZAKHSTAN'S NEW 'EXTREMISM LAW' CONCERNS CHRISTIANS An "extremism law"
actively promoted by Kazakhstan's secret police was signed into law in the
country on Monday, Feb. 21, raising concerns among local and international
organizations, some religious believers and the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe. However, the official chief specialist on
religious affairs in Almaty said the law is not aimed at Christians. "I do
not understand this concern. The law on extremism and also the amendments to
other laws have no relation to religion and consequently do not represent a
threat to believers." Ninel Fokina of the Almaty Helsinki Committee
disagreed. "In the law on countering extremist activity the term 'religious'
occurs 10 times," he said. "Although it would seem that religion and
extremism are two totally different concepts, the new law can be used by the
state to combat religious organizations it does not like." The law on
countering "extremist activity" fails to give a clear definition of
extremism. Religious law specialist Roman Podoprigora pointed out that
Kazakhstan can decide to close religious communities on the basis of
information from regimes such as North Korea. (Forum 18 News Service)

SENIOR PASTOR OF MEGA-CHURCH IN U.S. ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Adrian Rogers,
senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., announced last
weekend that he is retiring after 32 years of service. When Rogers became
the pastor of the church it had 8,739 members. Today it has more than 29,000
members. Rogers is heard in more than 150 countries on more than 12,000
television stations and 2,000 radio stations on his weekly program, "Love
Worth Finding." He is a widely published author and has been a key leader in
the Southern Baptist Convention's conservative resurgence. Rogers served as
SBC president for three terms at a time when conservative Southern Baptists
needed their most capable leader. But Rogers also is a spiritual leader
outside Southern Baptist circles. He has visited with U.S. presidents and
other leaders. Thousands celebrated Rogers' pastorate at Bellevue the
evening of Friday, March 4. Thousands more heard Rogers preach his last
sermon as pastor of the Memphis-area congregation on Sunday morning. That
evening the throngs gathered to bid a final farewell to their leader.
(Religion Today/Baptist Press)

FORMER ANGLICAN BISHOP, CRICKET CAPTAIN DAVID SHEPPARD DIES AT 75 David
Sheppard, an Anglican bishop and former England cricket captain who was an
outspoken voice for England's poor, has died of cancer at the age of
75, a spokesman for his diocese said Sunday. Sheppard, who served as
Liverpool's bishop from 1975 to 1997, died at his home in the Wirral
district near the city on Saturday, March 5, a day before his 76th birthday.
Sheppard was born March 6, 1929, and attended Sherborne School, one of
Britain's best-known boarding schools, before going to Cambridge University.
He was ordained in 1955 and initially served as a curate of St. Mary's
church in Islington, then a deprived area of north London. In 1969 he was
appointed as the bishop of Woolwich, another disadvantaged district in
southeastern London, where he served for six years before moving to
Liverpool. Sheppard worked closely with his Roman Catholic counterpart,
Derek Worlock, focusing on poverty-related issues in the city. Sheppard also
had a noteworthy career as a cricketer. He played for Sussex County before
graduating to the England team where he played 22 tests between 1950 and
1963. He captained the England side twice in 1954. Sheppard is survived by
his wife of 47 years, Grace, and their daughter, Jenny. (Associated
Press/ENI)

BREAD FOR THE WORLD LAUNCHES 'MAKE HUNGER HISTORY' CAMPAIGN Bread for the
World, a Christian anti-hunger organization supported by many American
Baptist churches and individuals, has launched its 2005 campaign, "Make
Hunger History." The current focus, like Bread for the World's campaigns in
the past 30 years, again asks individuals and their churches to participate
in an "Offering of Letters," sending correspondence to congressional
representatives, urging them to take action in the fight against hunger. The
2005 campaign is being coordinated with organizations such as America's
Second Harvest, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger and the End Hunger
Network. Bread for the World is one of 11 inaugural members of the ONE
Campaign, a coalition committed to addressing AIDS, extreme poverty and
hunger. (American Baptist News Service)

INNOVATIVE VET CLINICS OPEN MINISTRY DOORS AMONG NOMADIC PEOPLE For three
years a native missionary went from tent to tent, visiting nomadic Bedouin
families and starting conversations about Christ and salvation. Yet the
reactions he encountered were discouragingly the same: "Jesus?" the desert
dwellers would respond. "Yes, we know about Jesus. We also know about
Mohammed." With a shrug of the shoulders, they dismissed both as irrelevant
to their lives. In an effort to overcome such apathy, native missionaries
began turning their attention to the Bedouins' key source of livelihood --
animals. Nomadic groups rely on camels, sheep, goats or cattle to survive.
Animals are the basis for their nomadic lifestyles as they herd them from
grazing land to grazing land. Missionaries developed a plan to establish
veterinary clinics in desert areas throughout the Middle East and North
Africa where nomadic Arab tribes are most numerous. Christian veterinarians
and other staff working at the clinics hoped to develop trusting
relationships with nomadic herders who in turn would be more willing to hear
about the one true God. Already the outreach has produced fruit in at least
one area. A Christian leader wrote, "We have begun the project by providing
a vet for sheep. The Bedouin men have been very happy for the help, and many
are more open to hearing about the Good Shepherd now." (Christian Aid
Mission)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14500+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-11 02:13:47 UTC
Permalink
March 11, 2005 3:27 AM

Subject: CHRISTIAN CONVERTS FROM ISLAM IN THE UK

UNITED KINGDOM

10 March 2005

BRITISH CONVERTS FROM ISLAM: CHRISTIAN LEADERS MUST SPEAK OUT

Some 3,000 Christians in the UK are in danger because they have chosen to
convert from Islam. Some are being actively harassed and persecuted, but
many church leaders seem more interested in defending their attackers than
in standing up for the rights of the converts.

Nissar Hussain, a Christian from Bradford, has suffered three years of
harassment, amounting effectively to persecution, from the local Muslims in
his neighbourhood. His car has been torched and rammed, bricks have been
thrown through his window on many occasions, there have been threats to burn
the house down, and much else besides. Mr Hussain and his wife were
originally Muslims, and this is the reason for the treatment they are
getting.

Though this may seem shocking, it should not be a surprise. From its
inception, Islam has rigorously sought to prevent its adherents from
choosing any other faith. Such apostates are regarded as traitors and –
according to shari’a (Islamic law) – should be executed.

There are many thousands of former Muslims, in scores of countries around
the world, who are suffering for their decision to follow Christ. In
countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Sudan the law of the land specifies
the death sentence for apostates from Islam, though this is only rarely
practised. What is more common is for those who have left Islam to be
persecuted in a multitude of other ways, including imprisonment and torture.
In countries where there is no law against conversion, other laws may be
used as a pretext, or “accidents” may be arranged. In addition, zealous
individual Muslims may take it on themselves to kill a convert. Those
converts who do not lose their lives may lose their spouse (through
divorce), children, inheritance, home and job.

As the case of Mr and Mrs Hussain shows, living in Britain does not ensure
full protection from persecution. Where a convert is the only non-Muslim in
their family, difficulties can be even more severe. Converts from Islam in
this country, especially young women, have been rejected by their family and
sometimes brutally assaulted; some have been threatened with death [1].

NUMBERS AT RISK IN THE UK

The number of individuals at risk in the UK is substantial. It is
conservatively estimated that there are 1,500 to 2,000 Iranians, approaching
1,000 Arabs, and some 150 Pakistanis and others living in this country who
have left Islam to become Christians. In round figures there are 3,000 KNOWN
converts, but there may also be many more who are isolated from the various
networks, and thus omitted from the figures.

These converts face not only the possibility of hostility and aggression
from individuals within the Muslim community in Britain, but also some are
asylum-seekers who have fled much graver dangers in their countries of
origin. If such individuals are refused asylum and sent home, they could
face imprisonment, torture or death.

A number of senior British Muslims have recently acknowledged the injustice
of the Islamic apostasy law and the serious breach of human rights and
religious liberty which it entails, both in theory and in practice in the
modern world.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS MUST SPEAK OUT

It is essential that Christian leaders in the UK should affirm the rights of
those who have converted to Christianity from Islam. Sadly such converts can
often be marginalised by those to whom they turn for help. Having been
rejected by their own community, they find that the Christian community
fails to take their situation seriously. Three years ago, when Mr Hussain
was first attacked, most church leaders who heard of his situation did
nothing. As further attacks occurred, they still seemed barely interested.
Now that the plight of the Hussain family has hit the national press, church
leaders seem to be chiefly concerned to absolve from blame the perpetrators
of these crimes. Even some in Bradford itself have sought to deny the link
with Islam and have attributed this sustained and vicious campaign to the
pranks of youngsters.

For Christian leadership to downplay the sufferings of converts is a
betrayal of those who have risked everything for Christ. But if British
Christian leaders were to stand up for converts, it could even bring about
change within Islam itself.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Please pray for the protection of all Christians in the UK who have come
from a Muslim background. Pray that they may also have peace in their hearts
and not give way to fear. Pray that their faithfulness to Christ, despite
great loss, pain and harassment, may speak powerfully to others.

* Pray that British Church leaders may act with integrity and courage to
care for converts from Islam and to defend their rights and freedoms.

* Pray that Muslim leaders will act to change the traditional apostasy law
within Islam and to allow Muslims freedom to choose their own faith without
fear of punishment.

LINKS

[1] - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1470584,00.html

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE

Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service provides the media and our supporters
with urgent news briefs concerning suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Web: www.barnabasfund.org
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14500+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-14 09:15:11 UTC
Permalink
On 02 May 2004 more than 22 million Christians in all 56 nations and islands
in Africa united in a day of prayer and repentance for the continent.
Christians came together in large stadiums, open fields, market squares,
churches and other public venues to pray. It was broadcast by hundreds of
radio and TV stations and reached many continents.



For 15 May 2005 the IPC (International Prayer Council), Transformation
Africa, Prayer Week and many other Christian organisations and prayer
networks, invite Christians all over the world to take hands in a global day
of prayer. On 15 May 2005 an estimated 200 million Christians will unite in
prayer to ask God to bless the nations so that the earth will be filled with
the knowledge of the glory of the Lord (Hab.2:14). Over the last five
years, God raised up many groups and networks of Christians to pray for the
world. By visiting the websites of Transformation Africa
(www.transformationafrica.com), Prayer Week (www.prayerweek.com), the USAÂ’s
National Prayer Committee (www.gospelcom.net/npc /
www.concertofprayer.com ), the website of the Global Day of Prayer
(www.globaldayofprayer.com) and several others, you will see this
development. Presently, many of these streams are converging into a day of
prayer where Christians all over the world will pray for an outpouring of
God's Spirit, the healing of the nations, the salvation of the lost and that
the glory of the Lord will fill the earth. We invite you to join hands with
us to pray for the world.




Your cooperation in this matter will be highly appreciated.



Many blessings,

Ineke Spangenberg

Pretoria, South Africa
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14500+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-21 07:03:23 UTC
Permalink
Sent home to no home at all

Social Issues briefing #038 , 14/3/2005.

I feel dead inside. It doesn't feel like they've made a decision to deport
me. It feels like the clock has started ticking down to my execution.

[Amir Mesrinejad]

Amir Mesrinejad is from Iran. He is currently being held in Villawood
(Australian) IDC, where he has been for over 4 years. Since being in
detention, Amir has become a Christian, but he may be deported shortly.

There are many Christians who have regularly spent time with him over the
past few years, and have no doubt as to the genuine nature of his Christian
faith. His words, actions and general conduct reflect a deep and growing
faith. He is a regular and active part of weekly Bible Studies in Villawood
IDC and has recently passed his eighth Moore Theological College Preliminary
Theological Certificate examination.

In the past few days the Immigration Minister has made a final decision to
refuse to issue a protection visa to Amir. This means that he can be
deported to Iran at any time.

Given the serious nature of a conversion to Christianity in Iran, it would
seem that deporting Amir to Iran would place his life in grave danger. Amir
has had a job offer by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, he has a letter of
support from the Archbishop Peter Jensen, and the support of Rev Dr Dean
Drayton, National President of the Uniting Church in Australia.

It is simply unbelievable that Australia could consider sending Amir back to
Iran, where apostates from Islam face the death penalty by law. His
conversion to Christianity is public knowledge, which serves only to
heighten the danger he would face. Though the death sentence may be seldom
used, the High Court upheld a case concerning an Iranian convert to
Christianity - SGKB v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and
Indigenous Affairs [2003] FCAFC 44 (18 March 2003) - in which it was stated:

".the Tribunal appears not to have considered the seriousness of the
consequences to the appellant of his conversion becoming known to the
authorities. The Tribunal accepted that the penalty for apostasy might be
death. The evidence demonstrated other quite serious consequences, including
loss of government employment. It ought to have considered whether or not
the mere possibility of a death sentence, regardless of how remote that
possibility might be, could itself constitute persecution. In our view, to
live under the shadow of such a threat might well do so."

Amir is seeking the protection of Australia because he has a very real fear
of persecution.

Just last week it was reported that the Immigration Minister is to re-assess
the cases of 23 Iranian Christian asylum seekers being held in Baxter
detention centre. Why the reassessment? Because of new information that has
come to light about changing circumstances in Iran which are significant
enough to convince the Minister that certain asylum seekers who have
converted to Christianity could face very real persecution. The applications
are expected to be reviewed in the coming fortnight.

The Department of Immigration makes decisions on behalf of the people of
Australia. Our silence on such issues conveys our approval of and agreement
with them. The recently released report Deported to Danger: A study of
Australia's treatment of 40 rejected asylum seekers found that 35 out of the
40 people interviewed were living in dangerous circumstances immediately on
arrival at the point of deportation. This study found a growing volume of
claims which speak of people spending fear-filled lives in hiding or, even
worse, disappearance, imprisonment, torture or death after being deported
from Australia.

· If Amir's application has been rejected because the Government has
doubts about the genuineness of his Christians claim, then we would question
the Government's dismissal of the testimonies of the many people, Christian
and non-Christian, who have come into contact with Amir.

· If the Government supports the genuineness of Amir's Christian
conversion, but still believes that he will not be in danger of persecution,
then we would question the Government's understanding of genuine Christian
faith, and of responses to that in Iran. Conversion from Islam remains a
crime punishable by death, and even if the law does not often carry out the
punishment, there are many recent cases where the people have taken the law
into their own hands.

· If the Government believes it reasonable to expect that Amir should
live 'discreetly' as a Christian in Iran, to avoid persecution, then they
need to speak to those with whom he has been living in Villawood for the
past several years, who can testify to his outgoing nature and character;
and even if Amir practised his faith discreetly, his Christianity is public,
hence the danger to him remains.

The UN Convention on Refugees, to which Australia is a signatory, says
applicants for asylum must have "well-founded fear of being persecuted for
reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social
group or political opinion" in their home country. A worldwide discussion
wonders if these provisions are broad enough in the modern world. In stark
contrast, the Australian Government and its officers seem to be intent on
reducing the provisions to exclude religious persecution.

What can you do? Do not be silent about this matter. Don't debate with
yourself about it.
Write now, on behalf of your brother Amir. His life may depend upon it.

Write a letter and fax it to the Immigration Minister and the Prime Minister
TODAY.

Senator Vanstone

Fax 02 6273 4144

You can email Sen Vanstone via her website at
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/contact/index.htm#email

Prime Minister

Fax 02 6273 4100 also 02 6271 5414

You can send an email to the Prime Minister via his website at
http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm

Andrew Cameron & Tracy Gordon, for the Social Issues Executive, Diocese of
Sydney

Sources/Further Reading:

· Refugee Review Tribunal, December 2003 Bulletin found online at
http://www.rrt.gov.au/publications/bulletin/decbull03.04.pdf

· David Penberthy, "Are we sending a man to his death?" Daily
Telegraph, Monday March 14, 2005 p21

· Deported to Danger: A study of Australia's treatment of 40 rejected
asylum seekers, Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education.

Conditions of use:

1. You may forward this paper to others, as long as you forward it in full.

2. You may freely publish it (e.g. in a church newspaper) as long as it is
published in full, not for profit, and including this acknowledgement: "A
briefing paper by Andrew Cameron and Tracy Gordon of the Social Issues
Executive, Anglican Diocese of Sydney. To access this free weekly briefing,
send your email address to ***@moore.edu.au or visit
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/socialissues ."

3. Media and academic publishers should cite this paper according to their
professional standards. We would appreciating audiences being directed to
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/socialissues .

4. Other not-for-profit publishers may use the ideas in this paper without
acknowledgement, but if quoting it directly should quote the title of the
paper and include an acknowledgement similar to the one in point 2.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14600+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-22 02:28:50 UTC
Permalink
AUTHORITIES IN ERITREA STEP UP PERSECUTION AGAINST CHRISTIANS

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA ASSAULT RAJASTHAN CHRISTIANS

GERMAN EVANGELICALS REMINDED TO FOCUS ON HOLISTIC MINISTRY

YOUNG LIFE AUSTRALIA INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BOOST CHURCH ATTENDANCE

MEDICAL AMBASSADORS SEND RELIEF TO TSUNAMI DISASTER AREA

AID AGENCY HELPS REVITALIZE JAMAICAN FISHING VILLAGES

Today's News Stories:

AUTHORITIES IN ERITREA STEP UP PERSECUTION AGAINST CHRISTIANS Police in the
East African country of Eritrea continue to pressure believers who associate
with churches not recognized by the country. On Friday, March
18, Kidane Weldou, senior pastor of Muluwengel Full Gospel Church in Asmara,
was snatched by police from the streets of Asmara. His car was later found
abandoned nearby. His whereabouts and whether or not any charges were
pressed is unclear. Other senior figures from the same church have been in
custody for almost 11 months.

The evening of Sunday, March 13, security police arrested 16 Protestants for
watching a Christian video together in the town of Adi-Kibe. All members of
the Kale Hiwot Church, they were put under custody at the local police
station. The following day two older women in the group were released after
paying fines, but the other 14 remain jailed, although no official charges
have been filed against them.

Meanwhile, police released the last 30 members of a group of 131 Sunday
school leaders and children who were rounded up on Saturday, Feb. 19. The
children were attending classes at an Eritrean Orthodox church in the
capital Asmara when they were detained. They were taken to a police station
where their names and addresses were registered, and children as young as 2
were held for three hours.

The Eritrean government closed down the country's independent Protestant
churches in May 2002, declaring their places of worship illegal and
forbidding home gatherings. The country's four recognized "official
religions" are Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Lutheran and Islam. Those
caught praying, studying the Bible or worshiping outside the umbrella of the
three allowed Christian groups continue to be jailed and tortured, and some
have been incarcerated in metal shipping containers or underground cells.

The U.S. State Department added Eritrea to it s list of "countries of
particular concern" last September for its flagrant violations of religious
freedom. Eritrean officials categorically deny ever-increasing reports of
the harsh government crackdown underway against Protestant churches.
(Christian Solidarity Worldwide/Compass)

HINDU EXTREMISTS IN INDIA ASSAULT RAJASTHAN CHRISTIANS Hindu extremists have
violently assaulted several Christians in Rajasthan, India, in recent weeks.
Bajrang Dal volunteers attacked eight members of the Friends Missionary
Prayer Band on Sunday, March 13, and falsely accused Pastor Arthur Joel, a
Christian orphanage director, of child abuse in early March. Two other
Emmanuel Mission workers, Pastor Vaalu and his wife who is eight months'
pregnant, were brutally assaulted on a public bus in late February.
Demonstrators have also called for the closure of many Christian
institutions across the state. Locals say the attacks are a strategy to push
forward the enactment of anti-conversion laws, an intention announced by the
state government on Feb. 23. (Compass)

GERMAN EVANGELICALS REMINDED TO FOCUS ON HOLISTIC MINISTRY Gary Edmonds, the
former Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance
(WEA), has called for a closer combination of evangelism and social
responsibility. Speaking at the annual meeting of the German Association of
Evangelical Missions (AEM) in Rehe March 1-3, he warned evangelicals not
only to concentrate on the salvation of souls, but reminded them they should
also seek to address physical needs. Edmonds pointed out that Jesus wanted
not only to impact the lives of individuals but also politics, culture, the
economy and the media. According to Edmonds, a holistic understanding of
mission has a positive effect on the development of nation states. German
evangelical mission agencies are focusing increasingly on social
responsibility, according to the annual report presented at the AEM meeting.
AEM Chairman Detlef Bloecher welcomed the change. "Evangelicals are
rediscovering their own heritage -- to combine evangelism and social
responsibility," he said. (IDEA)

YOUNG LIFE AUSTRALIA INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BOOST CHURCH ATTENDANCE Young Life
Australia is launching an initiative called "Crossing the Divide" that seeks
to partner with churches and connect with young people in an effort to
elevate youth church attendance. The Australian Census and the National
Church Life Survey (2001) shows that only 5.7 percent of those between the
ages of 15 and 19 are present in church, and 40 percent stop attending
services by the time they finish high school. "These figures do not paint a
healthy picture for the future of the church," says Glyn Henman, chief
executive officer of Young Life Australia. Established in Australia more
than 30 years ago, Young Life seeks to connect with young people where they
are at, Henman said. "Our premise is that we need to reach out to the
93.7 percent of young people who do not attend church and may never do so.
We use fun and humor as tools to connect these young people to the
unchanging gospel message. Therefore we seek to create a sense of need for
the gospel in their lives." (Young Life Australia)

MEDICAL AMBASSADORS SEND RELIEF TO TSUNAMI DISASTER AREA Medical Ambassador
International's Paul Calhoun says his organization has been able to help
many victims of the tsunami in Sri Lanka. "We've been able to deliver
212,000 food packets, and assist more than 3,300 families. There have been
about 1,000 temporary shelters given out, and we're in the process of
rebuilding hundreds of permanent homes." Calhoun said the most exciting
phase of their program has yet to come -- community health evangelism. "We
not only work with the physical need, but we train the villagers themselves
to be able to share with members of their community the hope of the
Redeemer." (Mission Network News)

AID AGENCY HELPS REVITALIZE JAMAICAN FISHING VILLAGES In remarks made at the
opening of the South Africa, African Union, Caribbean Diaspora Conference,
Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson called for the removal of obstacles
to eliminate poverty and disease in his country. Leaders are looking for
ways to help the poor find a way to support themselves and Food for the Poor
(FFP) hopes to be part of that effort. Angel Aloma of FFP says their
organization launched a program that helps rebuild whole fishing villages.
"We revitalize a whole community by buying them four larger [fishing]
boats," he said. In addition, FFP builds sheds with freezers where the catch
can be stored. FFP staff members also teach the crews how to go deeper into
the sea for better catches and are teaching the trade to young people. The
project partners with local churches, following Christ's model of teaching
people to be "fishers of men." (Mission Network News)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14600+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-23 00:00:23 UTC
Permalink
From a concerned friend:

Dear Rowland,

Earlier in the year I forwarded an email regarding Samer who was facing
charges of apostasy in Jordan. The decision has come through and I have
attached it for your information.

I am planning on writing an article on this for publication in different
Christian newspapers as I believe the Christian public needs to hear about
this!

~~~

AFTA Urgent Prayer Requests

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen
any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." Is 64:4

Thank for being willing to stand with us at this time of trial. Especially
for Samer, his wife and child.

We have just received the written sentence of the judge of Samer's case, and
with that, is has been signed and approved by the Appeal Court. The
sentence is far worse than we thought.

The following is a summary of the sentence given in the name of King
Abullah II of Jordan -

Because Samer has refused to return to Islam and he is therefore an
apostate:-

a.. He is stripped of all rights

b.. His marriage is annulled, whether his wife is Muslim or of another
religion

c.. All documents he has signed including his marriage certificate are
annulled

d.. Because he is a backslider, he has no religion, he cannot follow any
religion, and can only return to Islam

e.. He has not right to have an inheritance from anyone

f.. He has no right as a husband as he has been separated from his wife

g.. He cannot re-marry his wife unless he returns to Islam

h.. The judgement would not take effect until it was signed the Appeal
Court

i.. It was signed by the Appeal Court on 25/1/2005

What this means is:-

That all his rights have been removed (i.e. no human rights),
including his right to marriage (not even stay with his present wife), his
right of having children (therefore his child can be taken and given to
Muslim), he be placed in a mental institution, and his life is in very real
danger. When he needs to renew his Identify Card it would be marked to
reflect the above. This also means that authorities will be likely to take
further action against other MBBs. Although he has some safety being in
another nearby country, he can be deported to Jordan or found by his brother
who seeks to harm him.

Please pray that -

a.. all of us in the Jordanian Church will know the Lord's leading in what
steps to take and have courage to do so

b.. Samer, his wife and child will be safe and know his leading

c.. all believers, especially MBBs, will not be afraid and will stand firm
in the Lord

d.. all will be encouraged as they see how the Lord can turn this
situation around

e.. this will not hinder church growth, but cause increasing growth

f.. this will bring glory to our Lord and Saviour

g.. the verdict will be overturned by some means
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14600+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-03-28 22:37:13 UTC
Permalink
FIRST WAVE OF CHRISTIAN MONTAGNARD REFUGEES RETURNS TO VIETNAM

SUDANESE COMPANY TAKES OWNERSHIP OF EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROPERTY

WORLD VISION RESCUES TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN STRIFE-TORN UGANDA

CAMPAIGN SET TO DISTRIBUTE 100,000 BIBLES TO CHILDREN

WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES JOIN FORCES TO BUILD PRAYER FOCUS IN CHURCHES,
BUSINESSES

FLORIDA EVANGELIST'S 'LIVE PRAYER' WEBSITE WINS THOUSANDS TO CHRIST

Today's News Stories:

FIRST WAVE OF CHRISTIAN MONTAGNARD REFUGEES RETURNS TO VIETNAM Nine refugees
from Vietnam's Montagnard hill tribe who fled to Cambodia have voluntarily
returned home, a senior official from the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) said. The Christian Post reported that the Montagnards, who
had been housed in the UNHCR facilities in Phnom Penh since a few months
ago, were moved to Vietnam on Friday, March 18, upon their request. The nine
were met at the Vietnamese border in southeastern Cambodia's Svay Rieng
province by Vietnamese authorities. Another 26 Montagnards will be
repatriated "after their paperwork is finalized with the Vietnamese
authorities," the official said. Meanwhile, about 780 Montagnards have
arrived in Phnom Penh and are being screened by the UNHCR to determine their
status. More than 700 Christian Montagnards, often dubbed "America's
forgotten allies" for siding with the U.S. during the Vietnam War, fled to
Cambodia last April after Vietnamese security forces put down Easter Day
demonstrations against religious repression and land confiscation in the
country's central highlands. (Assist News Service)

SUDANESE COMPANY TAKES OWNERSHIP OF EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROPERTY The commercial
company claiming ownership of a disputed church property in the Sudanese
capital of Khartoum moved into the building last week, ignoring a court
injunction barring use of the property. Representatives of the Episcopal
Church of Sudan (ECS) said they discovered at a court hearing on Wednesday,
March 15, that the United Al Azra Company had taken possession of the
church's headquarters -- first confiscated by police at gunpoint 10 months
ago. When church officials appealed to Judge Wahhabi Ibrahim of the Khartoum
Public Court to enforce the court injunction, he reportedly brushed aside
the complaint as well as request from the church to post a guard at the
property. In the past decade, the Khartoum regime has followed a repeated
pattern of aggression against the ECS, the largest Christian church in
Sudan. (Compass)

WORLD VISION RESCUES TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN IN STRIFE-TORN UGANDA In the midst
of 18 years of conflict in Uganda where the rebel Lord's Resistance Army
(LRA) has abducted thousands of children to be soldiers and sex slaves,
World Vision is bringing new hope. "In the past 10 years we've helped to
rehabilitate 10,500 children who managed to escape from the LRA," said
spokesman Rory Anderson. "When World Vision gets them, we go through a
series of counseling or rehabilitation because, as you can imagine, these
children have gone through great trauma. We have had success, we have
managed to reunite children, heal children, help them to understand and feel
the forgiveness and love of God in spite of the difficult atrocities that
they've been forced to commit against, oftentimes, their own communities.
Because of this forgiveness, they are able to then be reconciled with their
families." (Mission Network News)

CAMPAIGN SET TO DISTRIBUTE 100,000 BIBLES TO CHILDREN WORLDWIDE How will
children know Jesus loves them unless they have a Bible to tell them so?
That's the question that inspired the Bible League's newest international
campaign for children that launches Friday, April 1. "There are kids all
over the world that desperately need God's Word, and are crying out for Him
right now -- not only because they are so susceptible and vulnerable to all
kinds of things, but when they get the Bible, the impact is just
astounding," explains Mike Dworak. "So we have put together a campaign to do
just that." The ministry's goal is to place 100,000 Bibles in children's
hands through Bible study programs at churches in five needy regions of the
world. "We know God's heart for kids," Dworak said. "We see the Scripture
where it says, 'God ordained the praise of Himself from the lips and the
hearts of even infants.' Please pray with us that God would have a great
impact in providing thousands upon thousands of Bibles for these kids around
the world." (Mission Network News)

MINISTRIES JOIN FORCES TO BUILD PRAYER FOCUS IN CHURCHES, BUSINESSES Now in
its 10th year, Minneapolis-based Prayer Ventures (PV), has announced a
partnership with Alpha USA/Twin Cities to strengthen prayer support for
Alpha courses in the 400 local churches that offer the program. "Prayer is
powerful and life changing, and we are eager to help Christians discover the
difference that a vital prayer life can make in their lives," said PV
President Betsy Lee. The ministry also partners with the Christian Employees
Resource Group at Medtronic, a Minnesota-based Fortune 500 company. The
resource group is using PV to train members in prayer so they can "reach
their marketplace for Christ," Lee explained. Most of PV's work is done in
Minnesota, but the ministry also has been active on a national scale. PV
hosts daylong retreats for personal reflection and renewal as well as
training seminars for prayer ministry. (Assist News Service)

FLORIDA EVANGELIST'S 'LIVE PRAYER' WEBSITE WINS THOUSANDS TO CHRIST A
businessman-turned-preacher is winning souls one click at a time. Bill
Keller's website, www.LivePrayer.com, is one of the most successful
examples. The ministry completed its 64th month online at the end of 2004
with 100,000 reported decisions for Christ, a daily devotional subscriber
list of roughly 2 million, and more than 40,000 prayer requests sent in
every day. A volunteer team of more than 700 retired pastors responds
personally to each request. Keller believes that mainstream television and
the Internet are the key ways to reach lost souls today. Keller isn't the
only one using modern technology to reach the masses. The Internet
Evangelism Coalition has designated Sunday, April 24, as "Internet
Evangelism Day. The organizing team hopes the event will inspire churches to
use their web pages for more than just making announcements to their
members. A 2001 study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows that
25 percent of adult Internet users -- about 28 million people -- had gone
online to obtain religious and spiritual material. A conference dealing with
Internet evangelism for the 21st century is also planned at Liberty
University in Lynchburg, Va., next month. (Religion Today/Charisma News
Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14600+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories, 2 m. hits/month)
Internet Evangelism Conference http://ie-21stcentury.com/
*
Rowland Croucher
2005-04-27 23:37:43 UTC
Permalink
25 April 2005:

'RELIGIOUS POLICE' IN SAUDI ARABIA ARREST 40 PAKISTANI CHRISTIANS

ARABIC BIBLES TO BE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS NORTH AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST

POLICE FACE INVESTIGATION AFTER RAIDING LOCAL CHURCH IN RUSSIA

MYANMAR ARMY MAY HAVE USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS ON KARENNI PEOPLE

PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY DIES AT AGE 53

PARTNERSHIP BRINGS GOSPEL BROADCASTS TO RURAL AREAS OF CHINA

Today's News Stories:

'RELIGIOUS POLICE' IN SAUDI ARABIA ARREST 40 PAKISTANI CHRISTIANS Saudi
Arabia's muttawa (Islamic religious police) arrested 40 Pakistani Christians
while they met privately for worship in Riyadh the morning of Friday, April
22. The gathering was a joint weekly Catholic-Protestant prayer service.
Several carloads of muttawa members reportedly surrounded the house, halted
the sermon and proceeded to beat some of the worshipers, overturning the
furniture and breaking Christian symbols as they searched the house. All
men, women and children present were detained at the Dera police station and
later released. "We are very upset over this news," a Pakistan church leader
said. "Why do Saudi Muslims have the right all over the world to build
mosques and worship in them when they refuse to designate places of worship
for Christians who are guest workers in Saudi Arabia?" Police authorities
also confiscated the Christians' identification cards, Bibles, hymnals,
tapes and other Christian materials in the Urdu language. The investigating
police officer, Lt. Col. Saad Nawafal al-Rashid, said the raid was part of a
wide-ranging "security campaign" that recently uncovered a prostitution
ring, two home-brew alcohol factories and a variety of drug caches. The
Pakistan embassy downplayed the incident, insisting that only 20 or 25
Christians were arrested, none of them children, before being released.
(Compass)

ARABIC BIBLES TO BE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS NORTH AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST The
persecution of the Christians in southern Sudan continues. Many of the
believers there are on the move and there is a lack of Scripture portions
available, but the church is still growing. John Anderson of the World Bible
Translation Center says they're looking to distribute thousands of Arabic
New Testaments in the region, but accomplishing that goal is a big
challenge. "We've tried to be very careful about who we send them to, how
they're packaged, so that they don't get immediately identified as
Scriptures, and also just send them in smaller numbers." Anderson explains.
"Not only can they get confiscated because there's a strong Muslim presence
there, but they can even get confiscated going through customs." Dale
Randolph, the center's chief executive officer, says the ministry released
the New Testament in portions "because it makes it a more effective tool for
evangelism in this particular culture." The center plans to distribute at
least 250,000 copies of the New Testament across the Middle East and North
Africa in the next three years. (Mission Network News)

POLICE FACE INVESTIGATION AFTER RAIDING LOCAL CHURCH IN RUSSIA A criminal
investigation on police behavior will take place as a result of a raid on
the Work of Faith Church in the Russian Republic of Udmurtia, about
700 miles east of Moscow. Twenty masked special and plainclothes police
officers burst onto the premises on Thursday, April 14. They broke through a
side gate and forced approximately 70 people to stand facing an outside wall
for half an hour and searched the building. Pastor Mikhail Russkikh said the
officers repeatedly called the church members "sectarians" and "prostitutes"
before detaining 46 people in a single cell at the local police station for
approximately five hours. The detainees were interrogated, fingerprinted and
photographed, told to sign blank witness statements, and struck by police,
but never formally charged. The Udmurtia state authorities' official website
said the warrant was issued for an "urgent search" of the church's premises
in connection with an April 9 murder near the building. The statement
continued that a number of people with previous convictions lived there
without registration. Bishop Degtyar said only 12 people present at the
church did not have registration papers, and no mention was made of the
murder investigation until several days after the search. (Forum 18 News
Service)

MYANMAR ARMY MAY HAVE USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS ON KARENNI PEOPLE A report from
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) President Martin Panter presented
evidence suggesting that the Myanmar (Burma) Army used chemical weapons
against the Karenni people, a predominantly Christian people group, in an
incident in February. The Feb. 15 report stated that at a Karenni border
post known as Nya My, a heavy artillery device exploded in the camp. Unlike
previous explosions, this device gave off a distinctive yellow smoke with a
"highly irritating odor." Within minutes those soldiers close enough to
inhale vapors from the device became "extremely distressed with irritation
to the eyes, throat, lungs and skin. Subsequently, some developed severe
muscle weakness and one coughed up blood." All lost weight in the subsequent
four weeks. (Assist News Service)

PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTE ON RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY DIES AT AGE 53 Diane
Knippers, longtime president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy
(IRD), died in Arlington, Va., Monday, April 18, of complications related to
cancer. She was 53. Earlier this year she was named by Time magazine as one
of America's 25 "most influential evangelicals." Knippers served as
president of the IRD since 1993 and had worked for the organization since
1982. She was a leader of evangelical, renewal voices in mainline
Protestantism, especially in the Episcopal Church, and sat on the Standing
Commission on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations. She also served on the
boards of the National Association of Evangelicals, the American Anglican
Council, the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance,
Five Talents (an Anglican micro-enterprise initiative), and the steering
committee of Anglican Mainstream International. She held a bachelor's degree
from Asbury College and a master's degree in sociology of religion from the
University of Tennessee. She is survived by her husband, Edward Knippers.
(Assist News Service)

PARTNERSHIP BRINGS GOSPEL BROADCASTS TO RURAL AREAS OF CHINA Radio
broadcasts in the Mandarin language have been spreading God's Word in China
for more than a year through a partnership of the International Bible
Society (IBS), Faith Comes by Hearing and Trans World Radio (TWR). "Most of
the listeners are in rural areas, and . . . that's where the high illiteracy
rate is in China," said Peter Bradley of IBS. Because of the remoteness of
these areas, it can be difficult to bring in Bibles. However, Bradley says
that there is "a huge growth in the number of new believers in the rural
areas." Reports are encouraging, and people are grateful for the daily
15-minute broadcasts from TWR's shortwave station in Guam. In a land known
to persecute Christians, people are saying that God's Word is their food for
survival, Bradley says. "Some of the [Chinese] provinces are very open to
Christianity and allow the house churches to operate without any hindrance
from the government," he said. " In others, of course, there is heavy
persecution. Our role is to bring the gospel to these people, and they seem
more than willing to meet with us even though in some areas it might be a
little risky." (Mission Network News)

~~~

26 April 2005:

LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS IN BELARUS FACE INCREASING OPPOSITION

'DRUNKEN COWBOYS' SUSPECTED OF KILLING MISSIONARIES IN GUYANA

MALAYSIAN CHRISTIAN AWAITS COURT'S DECISION ON CONVERSION ISSUE

2 MINISTRIES JOIN FORCES TO TOUCH INMATES AT 2,000 PRISONS

WORLDWIDE SURVEY: COLLEGE FRESHMEN IN U.S. ON A 'SPIRITUAL QUEST'

MINISTER URGES BELIEVERS TO 'REDISCOVER AMERICA'S CHRISTIAN ROOTS'

Today's News Stories:

LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS IN BELARUS FACE INCREASING OPPOSITION Reports from
native missionaries in Belarus confirm what much-publicized recent events
indicate -- believers continue to suffer under the most repressive religion
law in Europe. The law, passed in 2002, requires that all religious groups
register with the government. However, registration is so difficult to
obtain that few groups have been granted official status -- without which
they are not allowed to construct buildings. Local contacts say that the
situation is "very difficult" for believers in Belarus. They are not allowed
to preach publicly, and many churches must meet in secret.
(Christian Aid Mission)

'DRUNKEN COWBOYS' SUSPECTED OF KILLING MISSIONARIES IN GUYANA More
information is available about the murders of Richard and Charlene Hicks,
missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators who were murdered in Guyana on
Wednesday, March 30. Family members said that two "drunken cowboys" lured
Charlene out to the gate of their home where they killed her. Then they
murdered her husband, stole the equivalent of US$35 and burned down their
house. The suspects later went to a local bar where they bragged about their
crimes and continued drinking before fleeing across the nearby border to
Brazil. Brazilian authorities are looking for the men but have not yet
located them. The Hicks' co-translators said they will continue working on
the Wapishana Bible. (Mission Network News)

MALAYSIAN CHRISTIAN AWAITS COURT'S DECISION ON CONVERSION ISSUE Seven years
after she converted to Christianity, a Malaysian woman is still waiting for
a High Court ruling on her right to remove the word "Islam" from her
identity card. In 1998, Azlina Jailani, as she was then known, applied to
the National Registration Department (NRD) to have the name on her identity
card changed to Lina Joy to reflect her conversion to Christianity. NRD
officials agreed to alter the name, but refused to switch her religious
status. In the latest hearing on the case on Monday, March 7, senior federal
counsel Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid said that Joy abused the legal system by
requesting the change from the NRD instead of from a sharia (Islamic law)
court. Joy has repeatedly argued that, as a Christian, she is not subject to
sharia. Her case highlights the need for Malaysia to set clearer ground
rules for religious conversions. (Compass)

2 MINISTRIES JOIN FORCES TO TOUCH INMATES AT 2,000 PRISONS WORLDWIDE Purpose
Driven Ministries, a global outreach of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest,
Calif., and Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship have formed a partnership to
reach out to inmates and their families worldwide. The alliance will be key
in an innovative global mission to marginalized people unveiled by
Saddleback's founding pastor, Rick Warren, on Sunday, April 17, before an
audience of more than 30,000 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. The
partnership will open the door to put Purpose Driven Ministries' "Celebrate
Recovery" addiction program in more than 2,000 prisons around the world and
involve more than 20,000 churches in outreach to prisoners' children through
Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program. At the church's
25th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Warren spoke of his desire to
mobilize his constituency to care for prisoners as Jesus demanded. Colson,
who was also present at the special service, said the two ministries are a
"natural fit," and the new partnership will help expand the outreach of
both. "The whole notion of The Purpose-Driven Life -- which is genius -- has
a particular impact for [prisoners]," Colson said. "The vision for using it
is to reach out to the marginalized and broken in the prisons and raise them
up to become leaders." (AgapePress/Purpose Driven Ministries)

SURVEY: COLLEGE FRESHMEN IN U.S. ON A 'SPIRITUAL QUEST' A new national
survey finds that young college students in the U.S. are in a serious search
for deeper meaning and purpose in their lives. The study indicates that more
than three-fourths of those students believe their religious spiritual
beliefs provide them with strength, support and guidance. The nationwide
survey of freshmen, conducted last fall by the Higher Education Research
Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), polled more
than 112,000 freshmen attending 236 colleges and universities. The study,
titled "Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College
Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose," found that 80 percent of those
first-year students believe in God, and 83 percent believe life is sacred.
Three-fourths of those surveyed say they are searching for meaning or
purpose in life and would like their schools to help them explore such
questions. While 77 percent of those with a low level of religious
engagement support legalized abortion, only 23 percent of those with
substantial religious engagement support it. Two-thirds of students with low
religious involvement feel casual sex is acceptable, but only 15 percent of
the more religious students agree. About one-fourth of those surveyed
described themselves as "born-again Christians." (Religion Today/AgapePress)

MINISTER URGES BELIEVERS TO 'REDISCOVER AMERICA'S CHRISTIAN ROOTS' Peter
Marshall, a minister who is well known for his books and lectures on the
Christian heritage of the U.S., believes in order to see national revival,
the church must rediscover the country's spiritual roots. He said corporate
prayer movements such as the U.S. National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5,
and the Global Day of Prayer on Sunday, May 15, are steps in the right
direction. But the son of former U.S. Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall and
author Catherine Marshall noted that winning the culture war also requires
that Christians remember why they're fighting. "People don't realize why
America is worth saving," Marshall said in an interview. "We must rediscover
our Christian roots." Marshall believes U.S. churches should hold regular
American heritage classes. "This nation's future is very much in doubt,"
said Marshall, a Presbyterian minister who leads Restoring America
Ministries based in Orleans, Mass. He pointed to issues such as abortion and
homosexual marriage that are destroying the traditional nuclear family.
(CharismaNOW)

27 April 2005:

HINDU MOB BURNS DOWN LOCAL CHURCH IN INDIA, INJURES 4 CHRISTIANS

CHURCH WORKER AMONG 7,700+ VIETNAMESE INMATES TO GAIN AMNESTY

GERMAN AUTHORITIES STEP UP PRESSURE ON CHRISTIAN HOME-SCHOOLERS

MINISTRY URGES CHRISTIANS TO SEND EVANGELISTIC LETTERS TO TURKEY

GLOBAL CHRISTIAN NETWORK TO MOVE HEADQUARTERS TO ATLANTA AREA

DINOSAUR BONE DISCOVERY IN MONTANA CONFOUNDS EVOLUTIONISTS

Today's News Stories:

HINDU MOB BURNS DOWN LOCAL CHURCH IN INDIA, INJURES 4 CHRISTIANS Christian
leaders held an emergency meeting in the Thoubal district of northeastern
India's Manipur state Friday, April 22, to plan their response to an attack
on a local church. Rev. S. Prim Vaiphei said a mob of 200 Hindus overpowered
a police patrol and set fire to the Believer's Church on Tuesday, April 19.
Damage to the building, still under construction after previous attacks, was
estimated at 445,000 rupees (US$10,350). Four Christians were also injured
in the incident. Following a similar attack in November 2004, authorities
ordered police protection for the church during the construction phase. The
Sangai Express reported that police have arrested three suspects -- Nahakpam
Inao, Khumanthem Gojao and Laishram Ibomcha. The attack was the third on the
church since the beginning of this year. Villagers have asked church members
to abandon the premises or "face the consequences." (Compass)

CHURCH WORKER AMONG 7,700+ VIETNAMESE PRISONERS TO GAIN AMNESTY Vietnam has
promised to release Mennonite church worker Le Thi Hong Lien,
20, two months short of completing her one-year prison term. On Tuesday,
April 26, Agence France-Presse quoted a European diplomat in Hanoi
announcing that Lien is one of six "political prisoners" among a group of
7,751 inmates to be granted special amnesty on Saturday, April 30. This
coincides with the 30th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. An American
diplomat confirmed the news to a representative of the Vietnam Mennonite
Church. Two months ago, Lien, who taught children's Bible classes prior to
her arrest, was transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital to receive
treatment for the effects of prison torture. Visitors who visited her there
said her body showed signs of "severe abuse," and she had difficulty using
her jaw which was broken in the beatings. There was no mention of two other
Mennonite leaders, Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang and evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach,
whose three- and two-year sentences on similar charges were upheld in an
appeal on April 12. (Compass)

GERMAN AUTHORITIES STEP UP PRESSURE ON CHRISTIAN HOME-SCHOOLERS Pressure is
mounting on Christians who home-school their children in Germany where it is
illegal for parents to do so even for reasons of faith or conscience. A
mother living near Guetersloh was recently imprisoned for six days because
she and her husband refused to send their children to a state-registered
school. They also refused to pay the fine, the equivalent of US$115. The
conservative evangelicals object to sex education in public schools and
regard the religious instruction as "too liberal." The parents belong to a
Baptist church comprised mostly of ethnic German immigrants from Russia.
Local authorities in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia recently
announced that they will pursue a hard line against home-schoolers. Since
October, seven parents in Paderborn county have refused to send 15 children
to public school for religious and ethical reasons. In addition, they were
fined US$190 each. Authorities also threatened to take them to court, and
they could lose custody of their children. A court in Bayreuth, Bavaria,
ordered a couple to send their 8-year-old daughter to a state-registered
school and fined the parents US$8,500. They may appeal the court order.
Despite the legal requirements, about 500 children in Germany are
home-schooled. (Assist News Service/IDEA)

MINISTRY URGES CHRISTIANS TO SEND EVANGELISTIC LETTERS TO TURKEY Steve
Hagerman, director of Turkish World Outreach, is encouraging Christians to
send "Gospel Letters" to residents of Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country
where most people have never heard the salvation message. "The letters
clearly explain the way of salvation in terms that Muslims understand," he
said. "A free New Testament and a video of the 'Jesus' film are offered.
Those who respond will be followed up by dedicated Christian workers inside
the country." Volunteer correspondents will receive Gospel Letters with
addresses and instructions along with a translation of the letter. The role
of the volunteers is to supply envelopes for the letters, address them,
affix postage and mail them. On a recent trip to Turkey, Hagerman returned
with eight hard-to-obtain telephone books to use as a source for people's
addresses. So far 500 Christians have signed up to mail out Gospel Letters,
he said. "This is an exciting opportunity for mission-minded individuals,
congregations, Sunday school classes, youth groups and Christian schools."
(Assist News Service)

GLOBAL CHRISTIAN NETWORK TO MOVE HEADQUARTERS TO ATLANTA AREA The Global
Christian Network (GCN) has announced plans to open its new headquarters
offices in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Ga., in June. GCN Executive
Director Nestor Colombo says this is an exciting time for the ministry which
will be joining television giants such as CNN, TNT, TBS Superstation and the
Weather Channel in setting up production and launch facilities in the
Atlanta area. The area is also home to Christian media ministry
organizations such as Back to the Bible, Leading the Way and In Touch
Ministries. "The new facilities are ideally suited to our needs," Colombo
said. "With the coming opening we can get to the real business of producing
and broadcasting innovative and compelling Christian television." GCN, a
not-for-profit, charitable, religious and educational organization, works to
produce, distribute and broadcast high-quality Christian and pro-family
programming to local and regional affiliates worldwide in as many as five
languages. (AgapePress)

DINOSAUR BONE DISCOVERY IN MONTANA CONFOUNDS EVOLUTIONISTS Evolutionists are
trying to spin the latest archeological discovery to line up with their
theories of the earth's history, says Ken Ham, president of Answers in
Genesis (AiG). Scientists in Montana recently discovered soft, flexible
tissues inside the bones of a tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur. Forced to break up
what they believe is a thigh bone of the dinosaur in order to fit it onto a
helicopter for transport, the scientists were surprised to find soft tissue
and complete blood cells inside the bone. Evolutionists estimate the
fossil's age at between 70 and 80 million years. However, Ham says the
latest discovery poses a major problem for proponents of the theory of
evolution as soft tissue could never survive millions of years. He believes
the recently discovered bone negates the evolutionists' archeological
timeline which posits that dinosaurs roamed the earth and died out long
before the appearance of "prehistoric" man. But creationists say there is
plenty of evidence to the contrary, even apart from the Montana find. "In
our modern world today, there have been lots of finds of what I call 'living
fossils.' These are animals and plants living today that go back in
evolutionary time to the time of the dinosaurs or even before," Ham said.
"Yet here we have them living today, and they haven't changed. They're
living beside people." (AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
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http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14700+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-04-30 01:54:51 UTC
Permalink
PAKISTAN

29 April 2005

PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN BEATEN ALMOST TO DEATH BECAUSE MUSLIM BOSS WAS KIND TO
HIM

Shahbaz Masih was attacked by a group of seven or eight Muslims from his
village on 23rd April and left for dead, with both legs broken. His
assailants are believed to be jealous of any success within the Christian
community, and apparently singled him out because he was favourably treated
by his Muslim boss.

Shahbaz Masih lives in a predominantly Muslim village called Chak No.
2 Mandi Baha-Uddin, south of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. There are some
20-25 Christian families in the village who mostly work as agricultural
labourers for Muslim landowners. Shahbaz, a young man in his twenties, was a
tractor driver for Mir Hussein, who treated him kindly, apparently because
he was an honest and hard worker.

This kindness from a Muslim to a Christian caused resentment amongst the
Muslim group who attacked Shahbaz last Saturday, reports a local church
leader, who adds the group were also angered by two Christians doing well in
their studies at school and university recently. According to one report the
group had tried to force Shahbaz to convert to Islam. He is now in a
critical condition in hospital.

SECOND CLASS CITIZENS

Many Muslims in Pakistan regard Christians as second-class citizens,
“unclean”, and despicable. There are approximately three million Christians
in Pakistan, about 2% of the population.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Praise God that Shahbaz Masih survived the brutal attack and pray for his
full recovery.

* Christians in the village are fearful of other attacks. There is
increasing violence towards Christians in Pakistan. Pray that they will have
peace in their hearts as they trust God for protection.

* Thank the Lord for the example of Mir Hussein who refused to follow the
common practice of Muslim landowners in Pakistan who normally despise and
mistreat their Christian workers. Pray that the contrast between Mir HusseinÂ’s
attitude to Christians and the attitude of the gang who attacked Shahbaz
Masih will become a talking point in Pakistan and that Muslims will be
challenged to follow the example of Mir Hussein.

RELATED NEWS ITEMS

ONE SHOT DEAD AND SEVEN INJURED AFTER EASTER SERVICE
http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/Pakistan/Pakistan-20050329.htm

CHRISTIAN FAMILY ABDUCTED, HUMILIATED AND BEATEN IN REVENGE FOR WIFE'S
INTEGRITY
http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/Pakistan/Pakistan-20050128.htm

PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN TORTURED TO DEATH BY POLICE; 40 CHRISTIAN PROTESTORS
ARRESTED
http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/Pakistan/Pakistan-20040908.htm

MUSLIM POLICE CONSTABLE MURDERS CHRISTIAN IN HOSPITAL ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY
http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/Pakistan/Pakistan-20040610.htm

CHRISTIAN TORTURED TO DEATH BY ISLAMIC SEMINARY STUDENTS
http://www.barnabasfund.org/News/Archive/Pakistan/Pakistan-20040514.htm

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service
provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning
suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund, : www.barnabasfund.org
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14700+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-04 06:13:02 UTC
Permalink
SAUDI ARABIA

03 May 2005

FORTY CHRISTIANS ARRESTED FOR ‘TRYING TO SPREAD THEIR BELIEFS’

On April 22nd forty Christians were arrested in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after
attending a Christian service in a private apartment. The group included
men, women and children, all of whom were foreigners.

The service was held in the Thaharat al-BadiÂ’a neighbourhood of western
Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and led by a Pakistani Christian. The raid took
place as he was delivering a sermon. The Saudi religious police, the
mutawwa, had followed the forty Christians who attended the service,
collecting information on their activities. Saudi press reports stated that
the apartment was equipped as a church with crosses, Christian pictures and
many evangelistic books and cassettes. The service itself had included
prayers, preaching and communion.

According to Saudi press reports the raid was part of a sweeping police
operation in Riyadh, conducted on the orders of Riyadh Governor Prince
Salman bin Abd Al-‘Aziz.

While non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia are supposed to be allowed to practise
their faith in their own homes, it is illegal to hold non-Islamic religious
gatherings and to promote religions other than Islam. A police official was
quoted as saying the Christians were arrested because they had ‘tried to
spread the poison and their beliefs to othersÂ’. One of those arrested was a
Pakistani Muslim who said he had been influenced by their Christian beliefs.
At present all forty are being detained while they are investigated. If they
are convicted of proselytizing they may face harsh prison sentences followed
by deportation.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Please pray for the quick release of the whole group. Pray especially for
the children that they will not be unduly traumatised by the experience.

* Pray for Christians in Saudi Arabia, that they may have courage to
continue to worship the Lord even in the face of such opposition. Pray also
for their protection.

* Pray that Saudi Arabia may respond to criticisms of its ‘severe violations
of religious freedomÂ’ and allow Christians and other non-Muslims to follow
their chosen religions without persecution.

* Pray for Riyadh Governor Prince Salman bin Abd Al-‘Aziz, and for the
mutawwa officers who have come into contact with the Christians, that the
peaceful responses they see in the Christians will soften their hearts.

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service
provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning
suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund, www.barnabasfund.org
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14700+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-04 23:44:22 UTC
Permalink
Vietnamese Police Interrogate, Arrest Mennonites at House Church

'Religious Police' in Saudi Arabia Raid Another Worship Service

Officials Invite Christian Relief Ministry to Stay in Indonesia

Christian 'Boot Camp' Helps Prepare Workers for Terrorist Attacks

Filipino Christians Reach Out to Muslim Tribes on Remote Islands

Americans Urged to Participate in National Day of Prayer

Today's News Stories:

VIETNAMESE POLICE INTERROGATE, ARREST MENNONITES AT HOUSE CHURCH After just
two days of freedom, Vietnamese prisoner-of-conscience Le Thi Hong Lien was
arrested for attending a Bible study with other believers meeting at the
home of imprisoned Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang on Sunday, May 1. A "work team"
of about 30 local officials came to the residence which serves as a meeting
place for the Vietnam Mennonite Church in Ho Chi Minh City. When Quang went
to talk to them, a number of police officers pushed their way past her into
the house, loudly demanding that all religious activity cease. They ordered
everyone to the local police station for interrogation. A particularly
abusive officer said he had orders to harass the Christians to deter them
from going to the Quang house to worship. Lien remained silent throughout
the interrogation even though she was threatened with force. She was
released at about 10:30 p.m. along with others of the group. She reportedly
returned to the Quang home "exhausted and terrified." (Compass)

'RELIGIOUS POLICE' IN SAUDI ARABIA RAID ANOTHER WORSHIP SERVICE One week
after arresting 40 Pakistani Christians, Saudi Arabia's muttawa
(religious police) broke into another private worship service of expatriate
Christians, arresting five elders of a house church in Riyadh's central
Al-Olaya district. High-ranking Muslim sheiks reportedly took part in the
April 29 raid on a congregation of 60 Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians who
had gathered for prayer. The muttawa confiscated the worshipers' personal
Bibles and one woman's cross necklace. The five men detained at the scene
were identified as Yemane Gebre Loul and Gazai Zarom from Eritrea and Msfen
Tekle, Yonas Tekle and Teklu Mola from Ethiopia. During their initial
detention and interrogations, the five Christians were allowed to maintain
telephone contact with their families, and one man's wife was permitted to
visit her husband once. But after four days, "things have tightened up a
bit," a local source said. The five men have reportedly been transferred to
prison facilities of the Ministry of Interior where they are being held
incommunicado. (Compass)

OFFICIALS INVITE CHRISTIAN RELIEF MINISTRY TO STAY IN INDONESIA At a time
when many Christian humanitarian groups are being asked to leave Indonesia,
International Aid is being asked by the government to stay. International
Aid's Myles Fish says the ministry has been asked by the government to help
repair medical equipment in Banda Aceh -- something nobody else is doing.
"We're using [the repair center] to train a biomedical technician to work in
every one of the hospitals in the Banda Aceh area," he said. International
Aid has been asked to stay even though the organization is openly Christian.
"The government knows who we are, what we stand for and what we intend to
do. But it's because we're appropriate in how we do it. They know that we
are Christians. We're there trying to demonstrate Christ's love in the hope
that we can build the relationships that are necessary for us to actually
articulate our faith in Christ." (Mission Network News)

CHRISTIAN 'BOOT CAMP' HELPS PREPARE WORKERS FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS As
violence increases against Christians serving Christ worldwide,
organizations are beginning to take action. "In 1998 . . . for the first
time ever more missionaries and Christian humanitarian aid workers were
killed in their line of service than United Nations peacekeepers," said
Kevin Turner of Strategic World Impact (SWI). Because of this, SWI has been
offering Disaster Assistance Response Training (DART). Turner says this type
of course is important to anyone traveling overseas, offering training in
such things as anti-terrorism, personal safety and what to do if a
missionary, family member or close friend is taken hostage. (Mission Network
News)

FILIPINO CHRISTIANS REACH OUT TO MUSLIM TRIBES ON REMOTE ISLANDS Native
Christians are faithfully working among Muslim tribes in remote islands of
the Philippines despite many dangers. While some missionaries have left the
country due to threats, many remain to share the love of Christ. Medical and
educational ministries have been particularly successful. Clinics, dentist
offices and drugstores, sanitary toilets and water systems, adult literacy
programs, classes for children and vocational training are examples of
outreaches that have met the needs of tribal communities while giving
missionaries entrance into closed regions. Poor tribal people will sometimes
join terrorist groups so they will have a way to feed their families.
Missionaries are able to alleviate terrorist activities by addressing the
poverty among these people. When missionaries conduct medical outreaches
among one particular Muslim animist tribe they are often asked, "Why have
you crazy doctors come to this place?" Their response is quick and spreads
the message of Christ, "We come because of the love of Issah Almasih (Jesus
Christ). We hope you too will know this love."
(Religion Today/Christian Aid Mission)

AMERICANS URGED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Shirley Dobson,
wife of psychologist/author Dr. James Dobson who founded Focus on the
Family, says there's plenty to pray about during the National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 5. Shirley is chairman of the national observance that the
U.S. Congress declared should take place on the first Thursday in May each
year. She urges Americans to pray for international peace and democracy so
that U.S. troops can return home; for the preservation of traditional
marriage; for respect for the sanctity of life; for religious liberty, and
for the nation's leaders. The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer
is "God shed His grace on thee." (AgapePress)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14700+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-08 00:01:49 UTC
Permalink
MOB OF 500 HINDUS IN INDIA ATTACKS CHURCH, BURNS BIBLES

U.N. RAPPORTEUR PROBES FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN SRI LANKA

WIFE OF EVANGELIST ORAL ROBERTS DIES OF HEAD INJURY AT AGE 88

BELIEVERS ACROSS U.K. BEGIN 10 DAYS OF CONCENTRATED PRAYER

ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC RUSSIAN BUILDING OPENS MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

VOLUNTEERS FINISH 80-HOUR BIBLE READING MARATHON AT U.S. CAPITOL

Today's News Stories:

MOB OF 500 HINDUS IN INDIA ATTACKS CHURCH, BURNS BIBLES A crowd of nearly
500 Hindu villagers attacked a house church in Mangalwarapete, a village in
southern India's Karnataka state, on Sunday, May 1. Assailants molested some
of the women among the 60 people present at the Sunday service and burned
Bibles and other Christian literature. The mob also beat Pastor Paulraj Raju
of King Jesus Church until he bled profusely. His wife and an elder of the
church were also seriously injured in the attack. Pastor Charles Isaac of
the Evangelical Free Church Urban Movement of India said the attackers
identified themselves as members of the Hindu fundamentalist group, Bajrang
Dal, and the nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party. Raju, who remains in the
hospital recovering from his injuries, was also beaten by local people in
January. He was later arrested by police on charges of "attempting to
convert Hindus." He was released on March 3.
(Compass)

U.N. RAPPORTEUR PROBES FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN SRI LANKA Asma Jahangir, the
United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief is
presently in Sri Lanka to probe the issue of religious liberty. Jahangir met
with members of Buddhist organizations who feel Western religious rights
advocates fail to see the issue of conversion in its "proper Asian context."
The newspaper quoted the country's highest-ranking Buddhist cleric as saying
that anti-conversion legislation is an "urgent requirement, since Buddhists
are being converted to other religions at an unprecedented rate." On
Wednesday, May 4, Jahangir met with members of the National Christian
Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) and with several Christians who
have suffered persecution. The NCEASL reiterated its commitment to work for
a just solution to these problems through "dialogue and mutual
understanding." (Compass)

WIFE OF EVANGELIST ORAL ROBERTS DIES OF HEAD INJURY AT AGE 88 Evelyn Lutman
Roberts, wife of evangelist Oral Roberts, died Wednesday, May
4, in California at the age of 88. Evelyn, who had been in generally good
health, died at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach,
Calif., a day after falling in a parking lot and injuring her head. She
played a vital role in her husband's worldwide evangelistic ministry from
its beginning in 1947 and was instrumental in helping him establish Oral
Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Okla., and other outreaches of the Oral
Roberts Ministries. She also served as a trustee for the Oral Roberts
Evangelistic Association. She was the author of several books, including her
best-selling autobiography, His Darling Wife. She is survived by her husband
of 66 years, a son and a daughter, 13 grandchildren and several
great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for Christ's Chapel on
the campus of ORU Monday, May 9. (Christian Etailing/Assist News Service)

BELIEVERS ACROSS U.K. BEGIN 10 DAYS OF CONCENTRATED PRAYER Christians in the
U.K. are celebrating this year's Prayer Week with 10 days of 24-hour-a-day
prayer starting Friday, May 6 -- an event being broadcast live via UCB
Europe. Prayer Week, which has its roots in Wales, takes place across the
U.K., but is now spreading to other countries. The 10 days of prayer lead up
to the first Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday, May
15. Organizers say the goal is to establish 24-7 prayer watches in every
nation of the world. The prayer will focus on the spiritual and social
transformation of churches, communities and nations. "All our programming
will be live with guests, programs and regular news updates," adds UCB
Europe Radio Broadcasting Manager Andrew Urquhart. "We will also have staff
members reporting back -- not just in the U.K. but in other continents as
well. We want to join with Prayer Week, not only to report on what will be a
fantastic time of prayer and fellowship, but to change our nation." (Assist
News Service)

ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC RUSSIAN BUILDING OPENS MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY Peterhof
in St. Petersburg, Russia, is now a museum. Built by Peter the Great as a
royal summer residence, it will be celebrating its 300th birthday this
summer. Russian Ministries will be using this as evangelistic opportunity,
says Maxim Baronov, the organization's regional director in St. Petersburg.
"There will be a festival that will reach young people. And at the festival
we will be inviting youth groups and popular music bands to sing and share
about God." Baronov expects 22,000 people to attend the event. The outreach
will focus on issues such as homelessness, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. "We will
invite [staff members from] social centers who work with the street kids or
drug addicts," he said. "We have more than 300,000 drug addicts in our city.
We will [distribute] invitations so that many people will know about this
festival." (Mission Network News)

VOLUNTEERS FINISH 80-HOUR BIBLE READING MARATHON AT U.S. CAPITOL The 16th
annual "Bible reading marathon" wrapped up on the west lawn of the U.S.
Capitol in Washington, D.C., Thursday, May 5, after 80 hours of continuous
reading out loud by volunteers. They started with "In the beginning" on
Monday morning and recited the last "Amen" on Thursday afternoon -- the
National Day of Prayer. Among the many readers was William Murray, son of
American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair. He says his mother, brother
and daughter were murdered by their fellow atheists, but he's working to
preserve religious liberty as chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition.
Murray's reading from the book of Ezekiel involved God's judgment on a
nation's idolatry. (AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14700+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-14 02:18:13 UTC
Permalink
MAF ADDS AMPHIBIOUS PLANE TO HELP MORE TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN INDONESIA

PAKISTAN DENIES U.S. CLAIMS OF VIOLATING RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS

GERMAN CHRISTIAN APOLOGIZES FOR ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY NAZIS

BACK TO THE BIBLE LAUNCHES AUDIO MINISTRY IN TOKYO, JAPAN

NUMBER OF HOUSE CHURCHES ACROSS U.S. DOUBLES IN 18 MONTHS

TEENS WORLDWIDE TO PRAY 'A WHOLE NIGHT' FOR UNREACHED YOUTHS

Today's News Stories:

MAF ADDS AMPHIBIOUS PLANE TO HELP MORE TSUNAMI VICTIMS IN INDONESIA Mission
Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has purchased an amphibious plane to aid its
efforts in Indonesia's tsunami zone. MAF's Gene Jordan says there are many
waterlogged areas that can't be reached on land. "Since we're planning on
staying in that province for probably at least two years, we decided that we
needed to have our own airplane that has the capability of landing not only
on land, but also splashing down in the ocean and on rivers and inlets to
better satisfy the needs of helping those who are rebuilding that area of
the country." Jordan says ministry happens moments after the local people
see a North American pilot bringing materials. "That's why I am here -- in
response to Christ's command to love each other, to care for each other and
demonstrate His love," he said. (Mission Network News)

PAKISTAN DENIES U.S. CLAIMS OF VIOLATING RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS Pakistan
rejected efforts by a U.S. Congress-mandated commission to include the
Islamic nation on a blacklist of countries that violate religious freedoms.
"These accusations are baseless," said Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh
Rashid, adding that the country is "fully committed to protecting the rights
of minorities." The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has
asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to include Pakistan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan in the government's list of "countries of particular
concern." The commission accuses the Pakistani government of "not providing
an adequate response" to vigilante violence perpetrated by Sunni Muslim
militants against the Shiite and Ahmadi Muslims as well as Hindus and
Christians, and of formulating "discriminatory legislation." Rashid said
Pakistan guarantees religious freedoms and has granted special rights to
minority communities, including the right to vote in local and general
elections. "All citizens of Pakistan, irrespective of their religious
beliefs, enjoy complete freedom of expression and there is absolutely no
discrimination," he said. (WorldWide Religious News/AFP)

GERMAN CHRISTIAN APOLOGIZES FOR ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY NAZIS Leaders
gathered in Europe and Russia This week to commemorate the 60th anniversary
of the end of World War II. One German Christian who served as a tank gunner
during the war says it's important to keep condemning the Nazi regime for
the atrocities committed against the Jewish people. Hilmar Von Campe was 18
years old in 1943 when he joined the German army and served on a tank crew
in Yugoslavia. He has since dedicated his life to speaking against what the
Nazis did. "They were criminals, murderers, liars and they led a whole
nation on the path to destruction," he said. Even though he was not
personally involved in any atrocities, Von Campe has a sense of
responsibility and a desire to seek reconciliation for the Nazis' crimes.
(AgapePress)

BACK TO THE BIBLE LAUNCHES AUDIO MINISTRY IN TOKYO, JAPAN Back to the Bible
has officially opened its newest ministry "B-Japan," in Tokyo. B-Japan's
goal is to "help believers grow in their faith, to reach out to their
neighbors, reach out to people who they work with, to encourage pastors,"
said Dave Hansen, Back to the Bible's international director. "We have
access to an audio channel 24 hours a day which is part of a network of
audio channels with more than 1.5 million subscribers. We are also
developing an Internet ministry." Hansen says cable audio channels are more
popular than cable television. "Obviously [there are] multiple channels that
deal with different topics . . . we are the only religious channel that
someone can tune in to." B-Japan is already "cable-casting" three hours per
day with the goal of increasing this to eight hours per day. "We've got a
list of about 20 different things that we hope to do in the next few years
to increase from three to eight hours. Because of the realities of having
only three staff members, we are going to look for a lot of volunteers,"
Hansen said. (Mission Network News)

NUMBER OF HOUSE CHURCHES ACROSS U.S. DOUBLES IN 18 MONTHS The number of
house churches in the U.S. has doubled in the past 18 months, moving to
5,000 from 2,500, said participants at a symposium organized by Church
Multiplication Associates' Neil Cole in Los Angeles April 25-28. "The main
growth comes from missionary groups aiming to reach the unchurched with the
gospel and involve them in multipliable discipleship structures," he said.
The church-planting effort was prompted by the "Billion Soul Initiative"
launched by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Bill Bright before he died in
July 2003. He called on Christians to lead 1 billion people to Christ by
planting 5 million house churches worldwide in the next 10 years. James O.
Davis, John C. Maxwell and Steve Douglass subsequently formed the Global
Pastors' Network. The group will hold a Global Church Planting Congress in
September with more than 350 Christian leaders set to plan the "largest
evangelistic initiative in human history." (Friday Fax)

TEENS WORLDWIDE TO PRAY 'A WHOLE NIGHT' FOR UNREACHED YOUTHS On Saturday,
May 14 -- the night before Pentecost Sunday -- teenagers around the world
will stay up all night praying for young people who have never heard that
Jesus is the way to a life that is full and forever. Last year's "A Whole
Night for the Whole World" stirred the hearts of young people on six
continents, said Dave Bidwell of Youth for Christ. Organizers with the
National Network of Youth Ministries believe the earnest prayers of a few
teenagers can change the world, said International Coordinator Daryl Nuss.
"On the first Pentecost it was the prayers of a few, gathered together in
the Upper Room, who experienced firsthand the power of the Holy Spirit, who
began to testify, who saw multitudes added to their numbers, who turned the
world upside down," he said. This year's event is being conducted in
partnership with the first Global Day of Prayer on Sunday, May 15. (Religion
Today/Baptist Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14900+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-17 00:42:34 UTC
Permalink
MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS RELEASE 2 AMERICANS ACCUSED OF PROSELYTIZING

ARSONISTS DESTROY OFFICES OF RELIEF MINISTRY BASED IN SCOTLAND

CHRISTIAN CONVERT LOCKED INTO MENTAL HOSPITAL IN EGYPT

INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONS IN BELARUS FACE 'ACUTE RESTRICTIONS'

Today's News Stories:

MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS RELEASE 2 AMERICANS ACCUSED OF PROSELYTIZING After 10
days in a Malaysian prison, American co-workers Ricky Rupert and Zachary
Harris from Strategic World Impact (SWI) have been released. The two men
were arrested on Monday, April 25, in the capital city of Putra Jaya after
the imam of a nearby mosque accused the pair of proselytizing. The
accusation fell within Malaysia's criminal code prohibiting actions causing
"disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or
prejudicing . . . the maintenance of harmony or unity on grounds of
religion." If convicted, the pair could have been jailed for two to five
years. Rupert said in an SWI press release that he and his partner were
handing out gospels of Luke and John to all who wanted one. "We believe this
message we were sharing with them is far more important than our freedom and
even our lives," Rupert explained. They were arrested outside of a
restaurant an hour later. The two men continued to witness even after their
arrest, sharing their faith with their arresting officers, interrogators and
cellmates, leading some to Christ. When Rupert was moved away from the other
prisoners to stop him from sharing his faith with them, they shouted to hear
each other. One prisoner whom Rupert couldn't see yelled, "I believe . . .
and I will follow!" (Mission Network News/Assist News Service)

ARSONISTS DESTROY OFFICES OF RELIEF MINISTRY BASED IN SCOTLAND A fire in the
early-morning hours of Saturday morning, May 14, destroyed the European
support headquarters of Adopt-a-Child in Inverness, Scotland. Police said
four drunken teenagers were seen driving away from the scene of the blaze,
started by igniting a waste container at the rear of the premises. The
ministry provides food aid to about 10,000 children at feeding centers in
Guatemala and Albania. International Sponsorship Coordinator Paul Cocking
said he was contacted by the local fire brigade at 4 a.m. and told that his
offices were on fire. "There was nothing to be done, apart from praying," he
said. Cocking hopes some of the ministry's paperwork can be salvaged, but
the building appears to be a total loss. "Fortunately, our American head
office and the administration centers in Guatemala and Albania can continue
to meet the needs of our sponsored children," Cocking said.
(Assist News Service)

CHRISTIAN CONVERT LOCKED INTO MENTAL HOSPITAL IN EGYPT An Egyptian convert
to Christianity is being held in a Cairo mental hospital where supervising
doctors have told him he will stay until he recants his faith and returns to
Islam. Gaser Mohammed Mahmoud, 30, was committed to the El-Khanka Hospital
in early January by his adoptive parents after they learned he had become a
Christian two years earlier. The hospital medical committee placed Mahmoud
under the care of a female physician whom local sources described only as a
"fanatic Muslim." Since his forced confinement, Mahmoud has reportedly
endured beatings, whippings and potentially fatal injections. (Compass)

INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONS IN BELARUS FACE 'ACUTE RESTRICTIONS' Religious
communities that choose to function independently face particularly acute
restrictions in the Eastern European country of Belarus. Without
registration, churches are not able to function and can be barred from
renting anywhere to meet legally. One independent Baptist church in the
capital city of Minsk was forced to go underground after being refused
registration. The pastor was told it the church could obtain registration if
it joined the Baptist Union. One Messianic Jewish congregation finally
gained registration in March, but only after it joined the Baptist Union and
changed its name so that its Messianic Jewish affiliation was no longer
obvious. "We had to be flexible," said Pastor Nikolai Khaskin. (Forum 18
News Service)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14900+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-18 00:11:27 UTC
Permalink
MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS RELEASE 2 AMERICANS ACCUSED OF PROSELYTIZING

ARSONISTS DESTROY OFFICES OF RELIEF MINISTRY BASED IN SCOTLAND

CHRISTIAN CONVERT LOCKED INTO MENTAL HOSPITAL IN EGYPT

INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONS IN BELARUS FACE 'ACUTE RESTRICTIONS'

Today's News Stories:

MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS RELEASE 2 AMERICANS ACCUSED OF PROSELYTIZING After 10
days in a Malaysian prison, American co-workers Ricky Rupert and Zachary
Harris from Strategic World Impact (SWI) have been released. The two men
were arrested on Monday, April 25, in the capital city of Putra Jaya after
the imam of a nearby mosque accused the pair of proselytizing. The
accusation fell within Malaysia's criminal code prohibiting actions causing
"disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or
prejudicing . . . the maintenance of harmony or unity on grounds of
religion." If convicted, the pair could have been jailed for two to five
years. Rupert said in an SWI press release that he and his partner were
handing out gospels of Luke and John to all who wanted one. "We believe this
message we were sharing with them is far more important than our freedom and
even our lives," Rupert explained. They were arrested outside of a
restaurant an hour later. The two men continued to witness even after their
arrest, sharing their faith with their arresting officers, interrogators and
cellmates, leading some to Christ. When Rupert was moved away from the other
prisoners to stop him from sharing his faith with them, they shouted to hear
each other. One prisoner whom Rupert couldn't see yelled, "I believe . . .
and I will follow!" (Mission Network News/Assist News Service)

ARSONISTS DESTROY OFFICES OF RELIEF MINISTRY BASED IN SCOTLAND A fire in the
early-morning hours of Saturday morning, May 14, destroyed the European
support headquarters of Adopt-a-Child in Inverness, Scotland. Police said
four drunken teenagers were seen driving away from the scene of the blaze,
started by igniting a waste container at the rear of the premises. The
ministry provides food aid to about 10,000 children at feeding centers in
Guatemala and Albania. International Sponsorship Coordinator Paul Cocking
said he was contacted by the local fire brigade at 4 a.m. and told that his
offices were on fire. "There was nothing to be done, apart from praying," he
said. Cocking hopes some of the ministry's paperwork can be salvaged, but
the building appears to be a total loss. "Fortunately, our American head
office and the administration centers in Guatemala and Albania can continue
to meet the needs of our sponsored children," Cocking said.
(Assist News Service)

CHRISTIAN CONVERT LOCKED INTO MENTAL HOSPITAL IN EGYPT An Egyptian convert
to Christianity is being held in a Cairo mental hospital where supervising
doctors have told him he will stay until he recants his faith and returns to
Islam. Gaser Mohammed Mahmoud, 30, was committed to the El-Khanka Hospital
in early January by his adoptive parents after they learned he had become a
Christian two years earlier. The hospital medical committee placed Mahmoud
under the care of a female physician whom local sources described only as a
"fanatic Muslim." Since his forced confinement, Mahmoud has reportedly
endured beatings, whippings and potentially fatal injections. (Compass)

INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONS IN BELARUS FACE 'ACUTE RESTRICTIONS' Religious
communities that choose to function independently face particularly acute
restrictions in the Eastern European country of Belarus. Without
registration, churches are not able to function and can be barred from
renting anywhere to meet legally. One independent Baptist church in the
capital city of Minsk was forced to go underground after being refused
registration. The pastor was told it the church could obtain registration if
it joined the Baptist Union. One Messianic Jewish congregation finally
gained registration in March, but only after it joined the Baptist Union and
changed its name so that its Messianic Jewish affiliation was no longer
obvious. "We had to be flexible," said Pastor Nikolai Khaskin. (Forum 18
News Service)


Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.

~~

17 May 2005

CONVERTS FROM ISLAM KIDNAPPED IN INDIA AND TANZANIA

A young Christian girl was kidnapped earlier this month in Kashmir, India.
She is a convert from Shia Islam, and had been working for a Christian
ministry. In a similar case in Tanzania, a young Swahili man was kidnapped
on Friday 13th May by his extended Muslim family after openly confessing his
conversion to Christianity.

The Kashmiri convert, N, is one of only a few Kashmiri women who have become
Christians. She has been involved with translation work on childrenÂ’s Bible
stories. The ministry itself has had much pressure from the local mullahs,
who have been harassing the workers to leave their homes, and issuing death
threats against them.

The Tanzania convert, E, converted to Christianity just a few months ago,
and since then has been openly sharing his faith with his community in
Kilwa, Tanzania, despite his familyÂ’s open hostility to his conversion and
being thrown out of the family home. He recently entered into an argument on
Islamic theology, at a family gathering where Muslim leaders were also
present, and the audience threatened to beat him up. Last Friday his uncles
kidnapped him, taking him to another location and keeping him incommunicado.
He managed to make a phone call on Sunday to ask for help to escape.

Barnabas Fund has been asked not to publicise the names of the converts, so
as not to endanger them further.

PRAYER ITEMS

* Pray for the safety of N and E, that they will be returned swiftly,
unharmed to those who care for them.

* Pray that N and E will be strong in their faith and courageous in
continuing to witness. Pray that their witness may have a lasting effect
both on their kidnappers and those in their communities.

* Pray for protection for all those who work for the ministry in Kashmir,
that the work will be able to continue unhindered. Pray for the local
mullahs, that they will end their harassment.

* Pray for deepening relationships between the Christians and their Muslim
communities, that the Christians might have continued opportunity to show
GodÂ’s love.

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service
provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning
suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund, www.barnabasfund.org


*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14900+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-18 21:50:48 UTC
Permalink
18 May 2005

BRITISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCE INTENTION FOR INCITEMENT TO RELIGIOUS HATRED LAW

In the QueenÂ’s Speech on 17th May the newly re-elected Labour government
once again committed itself to introducing a bill banning incitement to
religious hatred.

This will be the third time that the government has tried to pass this
measure, which was dropped from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill
(SOCP) only because time ran out before 5th May general election. Speaking
on the Today programme (BBC Radio 4) yesterday Mr Charles Clarke, the Home
Secretary, said that the purpose of the bill was for ‘extending to all
religions the legal penalties for incitement to hatred which exist for someÂ’.
He also said that if necessary the government would use the Parliament Act
to force the bill through, as it did for the anti-hunting bill earlier this
year. With the Labour Party returned to power with a reduced majority, this
may be more necessary than they envisage.

Following lobbying from Barnabas Fund supporters and others many MPs and
Lords, from across all the major parties, spoke against this bill in the
last session of Parliament. Although the time allowed for debating it was
short due to the constraints of the coming election, Mr Clarke insisted
yesterday that the issue of the billÂ’s effects on freedom of speech had been
fully debated before the election. As the bill was included in the Labour
PartyÂ’s election manifesto, the Salisbury Convention places an obligation on
the House of Lords not to contest it. However, this is a traditional and not
a legal obligation, and it is hoped that the Lords may still voice their
concerns.

Critics of the law have previously pointed out that existing legislation
banning incitement to violence and other criminal acts already provides
protection if enforced properly. They argue that in reality this new law
could end up being used to prevent all reasonable debate and criticism of
another personÂ’s religion and create greater inter-religious tensions.
Barnabas Fund is particularly concerned that the bill could potentially
silence those who speak out on behalf of millions of people who suffer as a
result of particular religious teachings, such as Muslims who convert to
another faith (who should be executed according to Islamic law) or Dalits
(treated as “untouchables” in the traditional Hindu caste system).

PRAYER ITEMS

* Pray for the MPs and Lords who have previously spoken against this Bill,
that they will again raise their concerns and not allow this Bill to be
rushed through without proper debate.

* Pray that the Parliament Act will not be used to push the Bill through,
and that Mr Clarke will listen to the concerns against it.

* Pray that British Muslims will recognise that existing laws offer them the
same protection from violence as to all citizens, and that this law is
unnecessary.

BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE Barnabas FundÂ’s e-mail news service
provides the media and our supporters with urgent news briefs concerning
suffering Christians around the world.

If you would like to receive news briefs from the Barnabas Fund please
contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be
available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.

Barnabas Fund, www.barnabasfund.org
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(14900+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-24 02:49:08 UTC
Permalink
CHALLENGES ARISE FOR CHURCHES AS UZBEKISTAN CRISIS CONTINUES

CHRISTIANS HELD IN ERITREA FOR PRACTICING THEIR FAITH

PASTOR CONTINUES MINISTRY EVEN AFTER BEATINGS

RELIGIOUS HATRED BILL BEING PRESENTED TO UK GOVERNMENT

CATCHY 'FROM GOD' BILLBOARDS TO AGAIN LINE U.S. HIGHWAYS

CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA BOYCOTTS MEDIA

Today's News Stories:

CHALLENGES ARISE FOR CHURCHES AS UZBEKISTAN CRISIS CONTINUES

As the authorities respond to the unrest in Andijan, there is evidence that
churches are coming under increased scrutiny. According to Forum 18, pastors
are being interviewed and authorities are questioning their right to hold
services. "Local authority and secret police officials are visiting and
inspecting churches, and checking up on documentation. In this tense
situation they have to show they are taking measures," said Protestants in
the capital, Tashkent, who preferred not to be named. Because it is very
difficult to obtain proper registration for a church, many are unregistered
and subject to fines and possible criminal prosecution. While the crisis is
ongoing, one protestant saw reason for hope, "It's my personal view that the
crackdown on Muslim extremists will be harsher, but perhaps we might even
see an eventual liberalization towards others. After all, we weren't
involved in the unrest." (WorldWide Religious News/Forum 18)

CHRISTIANS HELD IN ERITREA FOR PRACTICING THEIR FAITH

Sixteen pastors and nearly 900 believers are being held in "deplorable
conditions" in Eritrea, a small country in Eastern Africa. The Christians,
who were arrested for practicing their faith, have not been charged in court
or brought to trial by government authorities. Although the constitutional
law of Eritrea guarantees religious freedom, the government has refused to
legalize religious groups that fall outside the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran
and Muslim faiths. The Open Doors World Watch List ranks countries according
the severity of persecution of Christians, and Eritrea is number 16 on the
list. Carl Moeller of Open Doors links the persecution to the record growth
of the church. The ongoing persecution is not intimidating evangelistic
pursuit. "They are bold in their witness. They continue to place themselves
right on the frontlines of faith where it costs the most." A demonstration
is planned for May 25 on behalf of the church, in front of the U.S. Eritrean
Embassy in Washington DC. Open Doors is encouraging people to attend.
(Mission Network News)

PASTOR CONTINUES MINISTRY EVEN AFTER BEATINGS

Despite threats on his life, Pastor Mangal of Gospel for Asia (GFA)
continued to minister in his village and surrounding areas. While
ministering in Nepal, Mangal was caught in the crossfire between the
government and insurgent Maoists. His decision to continue ministering got
the attention of both the government and rebels. Several months ago, he was
severely beaten by a Nepalese officer who believed he was carrying food to
the rebels. After recovering from the abuse, he continued going village to
village, sharing the gospel. Again his activities attracted attention. Upon
recovering from a second beating by a Maoist commander, Mangal left the
village to minister in a different area. Because of the threat on his life
and ministry, Pastor Mangal cannot return to his home village, but he hopes
that he can one day return to the village God gave him such a passion for.
(Mission Network News)

RELIGIOUS HATRED BILL BEING PRESENTED TO UK GOVERNMENT

The government of the United Kingdom is trying, for the third time, to pass
a bill banning incitement to religious hatred. Following lobbying from
Barnabas Fund supporters and others, many members of the British government
spoke against this bill in the last session of Parliament. Previously, the
measure was dropped from the Serious Organized Crime and Police Bill (SCOP)
because time ran out before the May 5 general election. Mr. Charles Clarke,
the Home Secretary, said the purpose of the bill was for "extending to all
religions the legal penalties for incitement to hatred which exist for
some." He also said that if necessary, the government would use the
Parliament Act to force the bill through. Mr. Clarke insisted that the issue
of the bill's effects on freedom of speech had been fully debated before the
election. As the bill was included in the Labour Party's election manifesto,
the Salisbury Convention places an obligation on the House of Lords not to
contest it. However, this is a traditional and not a legal obligation, and
it is hoped that the Lords may still voice their concerns. (Barnabas Fund)

CATCHY 'FROM GOD' BILLBOARDS TO AGAIN LINE U.S. HIGHWAYS

Mysterious billboards that carry clever, quirky, thought-provoking messages
signed "from God" are finding their way back onto highways across the U.S.
Generating nationwide buzz in 1999, the first GodSpeaks campaign began with
a handful of billboards containing disarming one-liners signed "by God" that
quickly mushroomed to 10,000 billboards. With wisdom such as "The real
Supreme Court meets up here -- God," motorists have something new to occupy
their rush-hour thoughts. With the same anonymous sponsors behind it, the
new GodSpeaks campaign was launched last month in partnership with the
Outdoor Advertising Association of America. Billboard owners nationwide have
already purchased more than 400 billboards and bus shelter posters in 21
cities and are donating the advertising space as part of a national public
service campaign. (Assist News Service)

CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA BOYCOTTS MEDIA

South African Christians are being encouraged to take part in a "30 Days
Media Fast," throughout June to protest the widespread abuse of God's name
in the country's entertainment media. Participants will boycott all secular
entertainment including theaters, television and cultural festivals in the
"Jesus' Name Above All Names" project. Christians will also focus their
prayers on the industry as a whole, including leaders, actors and
scriptwriters. Organizer Rev. Jannie Pelser said he hopes to see "1 million
believers united in vision, purpose and heart." The event is based on the
biblical commandment in Exodus 20:7 that warns against using God's name in
vain. "Knowing of an unlawful practice and not doing something about it is
as unacceptable as doing it yourself," Pelsser said. "If we really believe
one name has been given whereby people can be saved, if we treasure His
sacrifice on Calvary, we cannot accommodate this practice." (Assist News
Service)
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(15000+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2005-05-25 00:38:12 UTC
Permalink
HINDU EXTREMISTS ATTACK, BEAT VILLAGE CHRISTIANS IN INDIA

PAKISTANI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS BEATEN BY POLICE, STUDENTS

MORE PASTORS THAN EXPECTED ATTEND CONFERENCE IN ZIMBABWE

GEORGIAN PASTORS IN POVERTY ARE BLESSED BY BASIC GOODS

GLOBAL LEADER TRAINING INITIATIVE LAUNCHED FOR 2005


Today's News Stories:

HINDU EXTREMISTS ATTACK, BEAT VILLAGE CHRISTIANS IN INDIA Hindu extremists
physically attacked 11 Christian families from Jamanya village in India on
May 16, when they refused to give up their faith. Problems began May 15,
when village officials summoned the families to a community court. The
families were accused of bringing bad luck to the village after embracing
the Christian faith and were asked to renounce their faith for the common
good of the village. Officials from Jamanya and other villages threatened
the Christians until mid afternoon, attempting to persuade them to renounce
their faith. At about 3:30 p.m., according to one witness, a mob began
chasing the Christian men out of the village. As they were running, the mob
caught and beat some of them with heavy sticks. When some of the men
returned to their homes after dark, they found groups of villagers outside
each home, armed with weapons. The men fled again, this time to other
villages where they sought shelter. On the following day, a witness
reported, the mob targeted the women and children. Some children fainted
after receiving severe beatings. The mob also tried to disrobe the women.
Meanwhile, the men managed to contact other Christians in the area who took
them to the Yawal district police station, where they filed a complaint
against the community leaders. Village officials filed a case against the
Christians at the same police station, accusing them of forced conversions
and disrupting the peace. (Compass)

PAKISTANI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS BEATEN BY POLICE, STUDENTS International
Christian Concern is reporting that Christian human rights activists in
Pakistan were recently beaten by police and university students. The human
rights activists were planning a rally in the city of Lahore to protest the
increased power and influence of Islamic 'priests' called Mullaism. On May
14, just before the rally was to begin, police from various stations around
Lahore raided the offices where they were gathered and charged the activists
with their batons. The ensuing melee included at least 10 bus loads of
university students -- counter-activists belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami
party who joined with police in beating the Christian activists. Police
officers and Jamaat-e-Islami members pulled the hair of the women, dragged
them down the road and stripped them of their clothes. Men involved in the
rally were severely beaten and later taken to Model Town Police Station
along with some women. While detained, no one was allowed contact with the
Christian human rights workers and no formal charges were brought against
them. All of the activists were released later the same day. It is unclear
what provoked the violent beatings. (International Christian Concern)

PASTORS CONFERENCE IN ZIMBABWE WELL ATTENDED More than 2,000 pastors
gathered in Zimbabwe recently to participate in the Global Advance Frontline
Shepherd's Conference in Harare. Only 1,200 were expected to attend. Dave
Shibley with Global Advance says, "We had representatives from many, many
different denominations and from all of the provinces of the nation. So it
did become, in fact, a national pastor's conference." Shibley says the
difficult economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe have left the church
without vision for missions, but things are changing. "Even in the midst of
the challenges that they face, the Zimbabwean church is lifting up her eyes
once again and looking on the fields not only of Zimbabwe, but beyond that
[to] the continent of Africa, particularly to the north, and even to the
ends of the earth for getting the gospel to unreached people." Global
Advance plans to sponsor about 45 more conferences this year. (Mission
Network News)

GEORGIAN PASTORS IN POVERTY ARE BLESSED BY BASIC GOODS The Bridge
International has become a means of blessing, support and encouragement for
18 pastors' households in the country of Georgia. Bridge missionaries made a
spring delivery of practical supplies to meet the basic needs of these
families who are faithfully spreading the gospel even as they struggle with
poverty. Many of the households have between two and seven children as well
as elderly family members. The delivery included items such as food, garden
seeds, tools, clothing repair kits, hygiene items, household items,
literature and medical kits. The impact of the gift is far greater than the
small amount of money it took to bring such a blessing, as God's provision
and care for these pastors enables them to continue being active in
evangelism and church planting in these remote regions. (Mission Network
News)

GLOBAL LEADER TRAINING INITIATIVE LAUNCHED FOR 2005 A Georgia-based
non-profit global ministry called EQUIP has announced its 2005 initiative
called "Million Leaders Mandate." John Hull, EQUIP president, says the goal
of the Million Leaders Mandate is to provide a million people of faith from
various parts of the world with training that will increase their
effectiveness for ministry and their spiritual impact in their own
countries. This spring, U.S. leaders will help teach training workshops for
35 European countries taking part in the global outreach effort. The
three-year program involves a live training session every six months. EQUIP
is trying to respond to the cry of churches around the world who need
leaders in order to grow. More than 100 U.S. leaders will be investing their
personal time in the Million Leader Mandate's three-year training program.
(Religion Today/Agape Press)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer. HCJB
World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities on which
it reports.
--
*
Shalom! Rowland Croucher
* *
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ *
(15000+ articles, 3200 clean jokes/stories)

*
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-22 07:10:05 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 2:37 AM

RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN BELARUS FEAR CRACKDOWN AFTER ELECTIONS
EXTREMISTS SUSPECTED OF RAIDING CHURCHES IN ZANZIBAR
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FACE INCREASING PRESSURE IN UZBEKISTAN
U.N. WARNS OF AIDS EPIDEMIC SPREADING ACROSS ECUADOR

Today's News Stories:

RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN BELARUS FEAR CRACKDOWN AFTER ELECTIONS
Members of Belarus' religious minorities are bracing for a new wave of
persecution following controversial elections Sunday, Oct. 17, that boosted
the power base of President Alexander Lukashenko and led to the arrest of
dozens of dissidents. The weekend elections and referendum in Belarus "fell
significantly short" of international standards, Western observers said. The
referendum approved the lifting of a constitutional ban on a third term for
President Alexander Lukashenko who has been in power since 1994. "Democratic
freedoms were largely disregarded by the authorities," said Tone Tingsgaard,
head of the observer mission from the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Human rights groups have accused Lukashenko of
creating a "military-style state" reminiscent of the former Soviet Union.
The government claims that 77.3 percent of voters backed a constitutional
amendment allowing Lukashenko to seek a third term in office, and no
opposition candidates were elected to the parliament. Both votes were "very
strongly disputed."

Forty-six opposition members were arrested in Minsk the evening of Tuesday,
Oct. 19, for holding an unsanctioned demonstration and face a maximum
penalty of 10 days in jail, Belarus Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov told
the Russian Interfax news agency. At least one dissident, Anatoly Lebedko,
leader of the United Civil Party, arrived at an emergency room after he was
arrested at a demonstration near the presidential palace in Minsk and
reportedly beaten by police. Police denied reports that they also beat up
Baptist street evangelist Andrei Fokin; however, they admitted repeatedly
detaining Baptists who were running a street library. Lukashenko is expected
to implement what human rights groups describe as one of Europe's strictest
religious laws, jeopardizing religious groups and churches that the
president deems as a threat to his rule. With the next presidential election
due in the fall of 2006, Lukashenko claims that a third term is for the good
of the nation, but his opponents have accused him of trying to become leader
for life. (BosNewsLife/BBC)

EXTREMISTS SUSPECTED OF RAIDING CHURCHES IN ZANZIBAR
Several churches have been attacked on the predominantly Muslim island of
Zanzibar off the Tanzanian coast, a church official said on Tuesday, Oct.
19. "One church was burned totally last week," said Julian Kangalawe of the
Tanzanian Episcopal Conference. No one was injured. The church attacked last
weekend was Roman Catholic. It was the third recent attack on a church on
the island. Earlier in the week, a Lutheran church was set on fire, and the
wall of another Roman Catholic church was destroyed. Suspicion has fallen on
Muslim extremists as religious and political tension rises on the island.
Presidential and legislative elections are expected in 2005. The last
elections in 2000 were marred by voter intimidation, politically motivated
violence and other irregularities. In April three other churches were
attacked. Kangalawe said that religious intolerance is increasing on the
island. For example, during Ramadan last year, people were attacked for
eating during the day. (WorldWide Religious News/Sapa)

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FACE INCREASING PRESSURE IN UZBEKISTAN
Dilshod Akhmedov, a Jehovah's Witness in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, who was
imprisoned for 15 days in May, and who refuses to give up public preaching,
is now being investigated under the criminal code by police. Conviction
carries a penalty of a fine of between 50 and 100 times the minimum wage, or
up to three years in prison. Also, officials in the city of Samarkand have
threatened to fire a female Jehovah's Witness, Lolya Nurmanova, for her
beliefs. The authorities also have compelled a woman sympathetic to the
Jehovah's Witnesses to report to the authorities "everything that goes on in
the religious community." Pressure continues on Jehovah's Witnesses
throughout Uzbekistan with some being convicted and fined without being
given a chance to defend themselves in court. (Forum 18 News Service)

U.N. WARNS OF AIDS EPIDEMIC SPREADING ACROSS ECUADOR
The spread of AIDS in Ecuador's most populated province is reaching levels
comparable to Africa and the Caribbean a decade ago and could mushroom into
a national epidemic if left unchecked, U.N. officials warned Tuesday, Oct.
19. "In 10 or 15 years, if there isn't important prevention work, we are
going to have a frightening epidemic starting on the coast and spreading to
the entire country," Paul Martin, a U.N. Children's Fund representative,
told reporters. "In certain zones on the coast in Guayas the levels of AIDS
infections are approaching levels reached 10 years ago by Africa and the
Caribbean," he said during a press conference called by the U.N. to draw
attention to the problem. He said the U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS has budgeted
$14 million for Ecuador, Ecuador's Health Ministry noted that between 4,800
and 5,000 AIDS cases have been reported in the country of 12 million, but
the number of unreported cases could be as high as 50,000. Mauricio Valdez,
the U.N.'s coordinator in Ecuador, said "80 percent of the cases are on the
coast in Guayas" which has as its capital, Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city
with 3.3 million people. Miguel Machuca, a representative of the Pan
American Health Organization, says the AIDS situation in Ecuador is
especially alarming because of the predominance of infections in women and
children. "This means the epidemic is advancing out of control," Machuca
said. (Associated Press)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-10-28 00:49:30 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2004 2:50 AM

POLICE DEFUSE MORE THAN 15 BOMBS AT CHURCH IN INDONESIA
AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHANNEL EXPANDS TV BROADCASTS NATIONWIDE
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES TO MARK 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WELSH REVIVAL
AFRICAN ANGLICANS OPPOSE CONSECRATING HOMOSEXUAL BISHOPS
CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAW MAY RESTRICT CHRISTIAN GROUPS IN RUSSIA
VENEZUELAN COUPLE ARRESTED, 2 WOMEN CONVICTED IN U.S. CHURCH SCAMS

Today's News Stories:

POLICE DEFUSE MORE THAN 15 BOMBS AT CHURCH IN INDONESIA
At 15 least homemade, low-explosive bombs were found in a suitcase at
Maranatha Protestant Church in Ambon City, capital of eastern Indonesia's
Molucca province late Friday, Oct. 22. At the end of a religious gathering,
people noticed a suitcase. Since no one claimed ownership, the people became
suspicious and called police. Authorities discovered that the suspicious
suitcase contained bombs which they defused. Similar explosive devices were
found two days earlier in the Silo church, the oldest Protestant church and
home to the largest Protestant congregation in Ambon City. Both churches
have seen fighting between Christians and Muslims in a bloody conflict in
the Moluccas since 1999, resulting in the deaths of more than 5,000 people
and forcing another 500,000 to flee their homes. In 2002 local Christians
and Muslims signed a peace accord; however, hostilities have never fully
stopped. (WorldWide Religious News/AsiaNews)

AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CHANNEL EXPANDS TV BROADCASTS NATIONWIDE
More than 1,600 people poured into the National Convention Centre in
Canberra, Australia, the evening of Friday, Oct. 15, to celebrate the launch
of the Australian Christian Channel (ACC) on a nationwide basis. The vision
for a 24-hour Christian TV channel dates back to 1987 when Mike Jeffs "began
to believe that it was not only possible, but necessary for Australia." In
1999 after 12 years of praying and developing contacts, Optus Vision added
the ACC to its basic package. Austar has agreed to add the format to its
package beginning on Dec. 1, and Canberra's TransAct Digital Network will
begin offering the channel on a trial basis in the "near future," Jeffs
said. "By launching in . . . Canberra, we're driving a stake into the heart
of this nation for the kingdom of heaven," he explained. "The tide is
turning. At the beginning of the year we were the smallest channel on Pay
TV, and by year's end we hope to have the largest audience viewing
potential. God takes ordinary people and plants in them extraordinary
dreams. My prayer has always been that God would bring the people and the
resources to make this happen, and He's been faithful." (Australian
Christian Channel)

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES TO MARK 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WELSH REVIVAL
Exactly 100 years ago this weekend, Wales experienced a dramatic Christian
revival that transformed the life and landscape of the nation. More than
100,000 people came to Christ in a year, and Wales became known as a land of
revival. Crime levels plummeted, and courts were closed because there were
no cases to hear. Families were reunited and marriages were restored.
Epidemic levels of drunkenness and violence in towns were dramatically
reduced. Prayer meetings broke out on street corners, in mines, in police
stations and on rugby fields. To commemorate the centennial of the 1904
revival, a series of events will be held at the Cardiff International Arena
in Wales this weekend. The events will be broadcast live by UCBTV. Among the
many speakers will be evangelist Luis Palau and author/preacher Selwyn
Hughes who grew up in the mining village of Fochriw near Dowlais in South
Wales. Hughes founded an organization called Crusade for World Revival that
aims to make the message of revival known worldwide. For details on this
weekend's events visit www.04theCity.co.uk. (Assist News Service)

AFRICAN ANGLICANS OPPOSE CONSECRATING HOMOSEXUAL BISHOPS
African Anglican bishops are rejecting last week's church report on
reconciling divisions over the U.S. Episcopal Church's consecration of an
openly homosexual bishop. The bishops are attending a conference hosted by
Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, who said, "The Western world is embroiled
in a new religion which we cannot associate ourselves with." He says the
African Anglican bishops will discuss building their own seminaries to train
priests in a biblical theology that is consistent with African culture.
Akinola added that in the U.S. Episcopal Church, "Men and men are cohabiting
which is taboo in African culture." He recently visited the U.S. where he
offered alternative oversight to Episcopalians alienated by their church's
consecration of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson. Africa accounts for
about half of the world's 77 million Anglicans. (AgapePress)

CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAW MAY RESTRICT CHRISTIAN GROUPS IN RUSSIA
Time may be running out for non-traditional religious groups in Russia to
carry out church meetings in stadiums, cinemas and other cultural buildings.
The Russian Federation State Duma is preparing a series of amendments to the
federal law, "On freedom of conscience," reported the official news agency
Interfax. Amendments to the law would prohibit churches from performing
religious services in sport and cultural buildings in Russia. Other proposed
amendments could affect use of land for religious organizations, issues of
taxation, education and missionary activities. The Duma is expected to
consider the amendments during this fall's session. Protestant churches in
Russia are concerned that the amendments could put additional pressure on
Christians. In many cities, churches are already prohibited from renting
cultural buildings under the pretext of the fight against terrorism, says a
press release from the Association of Christian Churches in Russia in St.
Petersburg. Meanwhile, Bishop Nikolay Epishin said persecution against
believers in Russia continues to rise. "Throughout the country evangelical
Christian ministers are in danger of attacks and beating, acts of vandalism
and burning their church buildings," he said. "Leaflets are being spread
calling to use violence against Protestant believers, and the mass media
publishes [slanderous reports], inflaming interdenominational enmity. At the
same time local authorities don't react to these acts." (Assist News
Service)

VENEZUELAN COUPLE ARRESTED, 2 WOMEN CONVICTED IN U.S. CHURCH SCAMS
A Venezuelan couple has been arrested in Ohio on charges of scamming
churches across the U.S. Ohio detectives say the couple pilfered hundreds of
thousands of dollars from unsuspecting churches, but eventually a paper
trail of the crimes led authorities to the couple. In one case, an Indiana
pastor had wired $800 to help a woman who claimed she and her five children
were stranded, only to find out later that he was a victim of a scam.
Meanwhile, in New York, a jury has found two women guilty of bilking more
than 1,000 investors out of almost $2 million. The Associated Press reported
that Roberta Dupre and Beverly Stambaugh have been convicted of cheating
investors with a faith-based scam. The wire fraud trial is unusual because
many victims still believe Dupre's claim that she was using their money to
free billions of dollars from a secret bank account belonging to late
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. However, prosecutors say the bank
account does not exist, and Dupre was living in a posh Manhattan hotel and
using the investors "like a personal ATM machine." The two women will be
sentenced in January and could face up to 20 years in prison. (AgapePress)

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-02 23:23:39 UTC
Permalink
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 9:21 AM

SAUDI ARABIAN OFFICIALS RELEASE CHRISTIAN PRISONER FROM INDIA
MEXICAN INTELLECTUAL CRITICIZES PERSECUTION OF EVANGELICALS
DISPUTED INDONESIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL REOPENS AFTER 3 WEEKS
BRITISH VERSION OF 'THE 700 CLUB' LAUNCHES IN U.K. ON WEEKENDS
FRANKLIN GRAHAM ENCOURAGES CHRISTIANS TO VOTE IN U.S. ELECTION
RELIGIOUS RIOTS ERUPT IN LIBERIAN CAPITAL, CURFEW IMPOSED

Today's News Stories:

SAUDI ARABIAN OFFICIALS RELEASE CHRISTIAN PRISONER FROM INDIA
Brian O'Connor, a Christian from India who had been imprisoned in Saudi
Arabia since last March, regained his freedom on the weekend and was flown
back to Bombay on Monday, Nov. 1. O'Connor was arrested on March 27 and
subsequently tortured by the Saudi Muttawa (religious police). "After his
torture by the Muttawa in a mosque he was taken to the police," said a
spokesperson for International Christian Concern (ICC), the human rights
group that had been pressing the Saudi government for his release. O'Connor
was jailed and charged with selling alcohol and possession of Bibles and
pornography. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, he was sentenced to 10 months in jail
and 300 lashes before being released last weekend following international
pressure. "His release highlights the power of advocacy, and we thank all
the individuals who made calls on his behalf to the Saudi embassy and to
members of Congress," the ICC spokesperson added. (International Christian
Concern)

MEXICAN INTELLECTUAL CRITICIZES PERSECUTION OF EVANGELICALS
Persecution of evangelical Christians in Mexico in the past and heated
questions about how it continues today were raised by Mexican intellectual
and political analyst Carlos Monsivái who spoke at a symposium in Chiapas,
Mexico, Oct. 19-22. The event addressed Protestantism in Latin America and
the Caribbean. Monsivái reviewed the origins of Protestantism in Mexico in
the 19th century, explaining that his own grandfather was among the first
evangelical converts in the state of Zacatecas in northern Mexico. Monsivái
said that as a child, he was also scorned by his neighbors, classmates and
teachers for being a Protestant. Evangelicals in Mexico have experienced
persecution and martyrdom for years, especially in especially rural areas
"where preaching the Protestant faith was a great risk," he said. Monsivái
added that while leftist groups in Mexico avidly support the rights of
indigenous peoples, they fail to stand up for their religious rights,
especially minority Protestant groups. "Why do none of the groups that
defend indigenous rights even mention religious persecution?" he asked. "Why
is the inclusion of religious persecution within the field of human rights
so slow?" (ALC News Service)

DISPUTED INDONESIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL REOPENS AFTER 3 WEEKS
Heated disputes regarding a Catholic school in Tangerang, Indonesia, have
yet to be fully resolved despite a meeting between government ministers and
local residents on Wednesday, Oct. 27. A district official had allowed
Catholic residents to hold services at the school on weekends after an
application was rejected for a church building permit. On Sunday, Oct. 3, a
crowd of Muslim residents attacked the school during Sunday mass and erected
a brick wall in front of the school gate. Students were kept home from
school for three weeks while parents and religious leaders met with local
and national authorities. On Oct. 27 a compromise was reached, allowing the
students to resume classes (using the back gate to enter the school) but
ending church services on school grounds. The Indonesian Catholic Community
Forum said it would pursue the matter further since freedom of worship is a
"basic constitutional right" in Indonesia. (Compass)

BRITISH VERSION OF 'THE 700 CLUB' LAUNCHES IN U.K. ON WEEKENDS
"The 700 Club," one of the world's most popular Christian television
programs, has launched a weekly British version of the program that airs
across the U.K. For more than 40 years Pat Robertson has hosted this daily
magazine program that features Christian news, testimonies, interviews and
music. A new weekend edition of "The 700 Club," hosted by Paul and Fiona
Jones, now airs on God TV. Paul was the lead singer of the 1960s pop group
Manfred Mann. He continues to hold concerts and hosts a weekly music program
heard by 6 million people on BBC Radio 2. The British version of "The 700
Club" includes testimonies and interviews from around the world. The Joneses
will also record segments on location nationwide, giving the program a local
British flavor. In conjunction with the program, CBN is also setting up a
telephone prayer line service for British viewers. (Assist News Service)

FRANKLIN GRAHAM ENCOURAGES CHRISTIANS TO VOTE IN U.S. ELECTION
Evangelist Franklin Graham is encouraging Christians to exercise their right
to vote in today's U.S. election. Only 15 million of an estimated 60 million
U.S. evangelicals voted in the last presidential election in 2000. Graham,
president of Samaritan's Purse, believes today's election will play a major
role in shaping America's future. "It's probably the most important election
in my lifetime," he says. "I'm not going to tell people how to vote, but
clearly you need to examine what the candidates stand for and how they align
with God's principles and the Scriptures and vote for that candidate or
those candidates that really best represent the Christian point of view."
Studies indicate that nearly two-thirds of Americans say their faith has
little to do with their voting decisions, but Graham says it's important for
believers to apply biblical standards at the polls. He also encourages
voters to study each candidate's stand on all issues carefully before
casting a vote. (AgapePress)

RELIGIOUS RIOTS ERUPT IN LIBERIAN CAPITAL, CURFEW IMPOSED
Religious riots between Christians and Muslims erupted in the Liberian
capital of Monrovia on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 28, and continued on
Friday morning until U.N. peacekeeping troops restored order and the
government imposed an indefinite curfew. Officials at the city's main John
F. Kennedy Hospital were not immediately able to give casualty figures, but
ambulances raced across the city all day carrying the wounded. Reuters
reported that at least four people were killed. Residents said the trouble
began Thursday evening over a land dispute in the eastern suburb of
Paynesville and quickly escalated after a car was set on fire near a mosque.
Muslim crowds subsequently burned down three churches, and on Friday morning
Christian youths armed with sticks, knives and broken bottles burned down
the Muslim Congress High School in central Monrovia, the only Islamic high
school in the city. They also tried unsuccessfully to burn down the two main
mosques in central Monrovia. Some shops were looted.

The rioters were prevented from torching the city center mosques by Nigerian
peacekeepers who patrolled the city in white armored cars while U.N.
helicopter gunships clattered overhead. Troops from Ghana and Ireland were
also involved in helping to restore order. A seven-month program to disarm
and demobilize Liberia's three armed factions is due to end on Sunday, Nov.
7, and an official campaign to repatriate more than 300,000 refugees from
other West African countries began earlier this month. Jacques Klein, the
U.N. Secretary General's special representative in Liberia, said in a radio
broadcast that the 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers in the country would respond
with "maximum force" to any attempts to disturb the peace. Klein added that
it's questionable whether Liberians are "really ready to put violence behind
them and work for peace, reconciliation and reconstruction."

Lee Sonius, director of HCJB World Radio's Sub-Saharan Africa region, said
the fighting has not affected partner Christian station ELWA in Monrovia. "I
have heard directly from ELWA, and everything is OK there up to now," he
said. HCJB World Radio works in partnership with ELWA, a ministry founded by
SIM in Monrovia in 1954, to air the gospel across the country and West
Africa. The radio station was destroyed twice by civil war, first in 1990
and again in 1996. ELWA most recently went back on the air in 1997 with a
small FM transmitter. Then in 2000 HCJB World Radio provided a low-power
shortwave transmitter, again enabling the station to cover the entire
region. ELWA broadcasts the gospel in 10 languages and plans to add more as
resources become available. (WorldWide Religious News/U.N. Integrated
Regional Information Networks/HCJB World Radio)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
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13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
Rowland Croucher
2004-11-07 23:27:09 UTC
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Sent: Friday, November 05, 2004 4:36 AM

500 MUSLIMS VANDALIZE INDONESIAN CHURCH, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE
MUSLIM EXTREMISTS SHOOT, WOUND CHRISTIAN LEADER IN IRAQ
TERRORISTS THREATEN TO ATTACK BIBLE SCHOOL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
'JESUS' FILM MAKES LASTING IMPACT IN UKRAINIAN PRISONS
CHRISTIAN AGENCY BUILDS HOPE FOR YOUNG GIRLS IN ZAMBIA
THRIVING LOS ANGELES CHURCH TRIES TO 'TURN CHRISTIANITY UPSIDE DOWN'

Today's News Stories:

500 MUSLIMS VANDALIZE INDONESIAN CHURCH, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE
At about 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, a group was gathered in a home in
Karawang, Indonesia, for a choir rehearsal when a group of Muslims came to
complain, annoyed by the music. Nothing further developed, but the next
evening a police officer came to the Nusantara Indonesia Christian Church
and warned the pastor and his family to flee for their safety. After taking
his family to the home of a church elder, the pastor returned 15 minutes
later to find a mob of approximately 500 people surrounding the building and
beginning to vandalize it. Again, he fled, but the destruction continued for
two hours. As a result, the door and windows were damaged, the pews
destroyed and the sound system vandalized. The next day some of the
attackers met with local authorities to discuss the closure of this church.
(Voice of the Martyrs)

MUSLIM EXTREMISTS SHOOT, WOUND CHRISTIAN LEADER IN IRAQ
An evangelical Iraqi Christian leader was shot last week by radical Muslims,
say recent reports received by Christian Aid Mission. The man sustained two
bullet wounds to his shoulder and one to his leg. He is alive and recovering
from the attack. The leader reportedly had been warned by extremists to
remove the cross from the top of the building where he regularly conducts
services and to stop leading Christian meetings. He ignored the demands. The
attack on this pastor is the latest in a string of violence against
Christians in Iraq. On Saturday, Oct. 16, five church buildings were bombed
in Baghdad. Thousands of Christians have fled the country, afraid of the
growing animosity of militant Muslims. (Christian Aid Mission)

TERRORISTS THREATEN TO ATTACK BIBLE SCHOOL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
The U.S. embassy in a restricted country of Southeast Asia continues to
receive reports that terrorist organizations may attempt to carry out
attacks against Western connections, including mission agencies. Bob Bland
of Teen Missions says the ministry has received a direct threat. "In one of
the sensitive countries where we have a Bible school [a local television
station] broadcast live that [the terrorists] were going to attack our Bible
school on Nov. 14 after Ramadan ends," he said. "We take that very
seriously. Of course we're concerned for the sake of our students and for
the sake of the ministry. There are people out there who will attack
Christians, so we need prayer for the safety of these young people." Bland
adds that the 25 students at the Bible school are having a "great impact" in
the area through child evangelism. (Mission Network News)

'JESUS' FILM MAKES LASTING IMPACT IN UKRAINIAN PRISONS
The first effort to show the "Jesus" film in a Ukrainian prison a year ago
reaped unexpected results as 120 inmates came to Christ. Since then, a
permanent ministry has been established in the jail system, says Brian
Birdsall of the Jesus Film Project. "There's a church cell group that meets
in this prison, and when people are released, they go back to the local
church which planted this sister church in the prison," he says. "There's a
great sense of ownership and camaraderie between the central church in
Kirovograd and the cell church that's been planted in the prison." While the
"Jesus" film was launched 25 years ago and contains no high-tech special
effects, it continues to be a "wonderful evangelistic tool in Ukraine,"
Birdsall adds. (Mission Network News)

CHRISTIAN AGENCY BUILDS HOPE FOR YOUNG GIRLS IN ZAMBIA
Village girls who want an education in Zambia are often forced to drop out
of class because of the adversity they face such as teen pregnancy, HIV and
poverty. Bob Bland of Teen Missions International said one headmaster built
a special dorm for girls who wanted to continue their education. In the year
since then, the growth has led to another request. "They've asked us to
build more because they've got more girls coming in," Bland says. "While we
thought that maybe half of those might flunk out, none of them did, and so
they're still going to be in school. New we have 50 more girls who want to
come in." Bland says the spiritual results of the outreach are even more
exciting. "Out of the 67 girls, every one of them has accepted Christ as
their personal Savior! We see this as an opportunity to not only win people
to Christ, but also to strengthen them in the Lord and to give these girls
an education." (Mission Network News)

THRIVING LOS ANGELES CHURCH TRIES TO 'TURN CHRISTIANITY UPSIDE DOWN'
A flourishing multicultural, multiethnic, multi-location church that
formerly met in a downtown Los Angeles nightclub is getting the attention of
Christian leaders for the way the congregation is reaching people in their
20s. Mosaic, which has services that include a creative mix of spirituality,
the visual and performing arts and borrowings from non-Western cultures, has
also caught the attention of The Los Angeles Times which recently
spotlighted the church. Emphasizing relationships and serving other people,
Mosaic has grown in less than six years from less than 100 members to nearly
2,000 with sister "communities" in San Francisco, Seattle, Manhattan,
Atlanta and Nashville and more underway in Germany, Spain and Scotland. The
congregation's membership represents 57 nationalities, almost half of them
Asian and the rest a mixture of Hispanics, whites, blacks and others. About
80 percent are single; the average age is 24. "Mosaic is the talk of many
Christian leaders who want to reach out to the younger generation," the
newspaper observed. Its unusual name is meant to reflect the diversity of
its members and a "broken and fragmented humanity that can become a work of
beauty under the artful hands of God," said Erwin Raphael McManus, Mosaic's
senior pastor. The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist
Convention, but does not subscribe to all the stances of the nation's
largest Protestant denomination. (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

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Shalom!

Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/
13,000+ articles including 3000 clean jokes/stories!!!
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