Missions news bytes from across the world.
OLYMPIC EFFORTS
With the support of the Bible Society, 50,000 specially printed Gospels, 10,000 complete Bibles and 30,000 New Testaments in Chinese-English will be available to athletes in the Olympic Village this August. An estimated 2 million visitors and 16,000 athletes are expected in Beijing. However, China Aid reports the president of China's house church alliance Pastor "Bike" Zhang and his wife have been forced onto the streets by authorities. Officials evicted the couple from their Beijing home early in July and have denied access to any other shelter, claiming the pastor's actions were "destroying the harmony of the Beijing Olympic Games." A Christian whose bookshop was near the Olympic Village has also been imprisoned since March, and many foreign workers in China have been forced out after being denied visa renewals. [EVANGELICALS NOW 8/08; CHINA AID 7/08 & FIELD REPORTS]
THOUSANDS FIND CHRIST FOLLOWING CHINA QUAKE
WorldServe Ministries reports that 5,000 people have turned to Christ as a result of that ministry's work through the underground church in Chengdu, China. While the headlines turn to the Olympic Games in Beijing, survivors from the May 12 earthquake are still in great need. The death toll has reached 69,000, and 20,000 people remain missing while 4 million others are homeless. Ken Leggatt, vice president for operations at WorldServe, says many Chinese believers have been involved in relief efforts. "We have about 400 seminary students and 800 volunteers from all over China who have put teams together to minister in these areas." Reports indicate that in 3 months the Chinese government will be ending all relief assistance in the region, leaving most victims without resources for the winter. [MISSION NETWORK NEWS, 22 July '08]
CRISIS IN GEORGIA
World Vision is among groups beginning to provide emergency assistance in the form of food, soap, blankets and other essentials to civilians displaced by the conflict that began on August 8th, when Russian planes bombed targets 20 miles inside the borders of neighbouring Georgia. At least 3 evangelical churches were reported damaged in the fighting between Russian and Georgian troops in the enclave of South Ossetia, where most of the residents have been given Russian citizenship. Russia also moved parts of its Black Sea naval fleet towards Abkhazia, Georgia's other breakaway province, which had signed letters of mutual military support with South Ossetia some months ago. Both provinces had fought civil wars against Georgia in the early 1990s, with tens of thousands of casualties and hundreds of thousands of refugees being exchanged. The United Nations' World Food Program has started providing food rations to some 2,000 people, and U.N. agencies and NGOs are working closely together to coordinate an effective response. More than 2,000 people had been killed, according to a Russian official. "I have seen war, but what I saw today was terrible," one 36-year-old mother told World Vision staff. [CHRISTIAN POST, 13 Aug.'08]
PAKISTAN: ABDUCTION AND FORCED CONVERSIONS
A Pakistani district court judge has upheld the alleged kidnapping and conversion of two Christian girls and the forced marriage of the older sister. Human rights groups swiftly condemned the decision and urged the international community to act, seeing it as part of a growing problem. Reports say Anila and Saba Masih (aged 10 and 13) were abducted in southern Punjab and forcibly converted to Islam. However, the judge dismissed their parents' petition for their safe return, saying they "converted in a legitimate manner," and the marriage was also legitimate. The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement believes the abductors are part of a gang involved in trafficking and prostitution, stating, "The abduction and forced conversion of Christian girls is becoming increasingly common." [BAPTIST TIMES, 7 Aug.'08]
FIRST DARI BIBLE FOR AFGHANISTAN
After about 20 years of work supervised by the United Bible Societies, the complete Dari Bible is ready for Afghan readers. Afghanistan has had no visible church for hundreds of years, but there are a growing number of believers among the 30 million population. Pockets of Afghan believers also live in Australia, Austria, Canada, England, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and other countries. 25 years ago the Dari New Testament was published, but for the Old Testament Afghans had to rely on Iranian publications. The complete Bible is a huge milestone, featuring 1,710 pages with 12 coloured maps, a general introduction and introductions for every book. Says an Afghan believer, "To be able to read the Word of God in my own mother tongue will be very special. Looking at all odds against our country, the first Dari Bible is a new beginning of hope and a future." [www.afghanbibles.org/]
SENEGAL CELEBRATES ITS FIRST BIBLE
Serere is Senegal's second language, spoken by 1.2 million people, 65% of whom can read. Translation of a Serere Bible started 30 years ago, when a Finnish Lutheran Mission saw how open the people were to the gospel-in spite of the fact that Christians make up less than 6% of the population in this Muslim majority country. Earlier this year both Muslims and Christians attended the launch of the first Bible to be produced in a national language of Senegal. Said the local imam [Muslim leader], "It's an important step, something of which the whole of Senegal can be proud. Every Senegalese person should read the Bible, as knowledge knows no boundaries, whether of religion or of age." [WORD IN ACTION, Summer '08]
FOOD CRISIS LOOMS FOR EAST AFRICA
Below normal rains have drastically reduced harvests for up to 14 million people in Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Kenya, creating a potential calamity. Dave Evans is vice president of government resources and programs with Food for the Hungry, which has been helping in many of these areas with agricultural programs. "Rainfall started in time but ended prematurely," he explained. "The most hit are ground nuts (peanuts) and some cereals, including corn. We're headed into a crisis here-food prices exacerbated by drought." Although the work can be discouraging, Evans said the crisis has provided an "opportunity to reach out to their neighbours in love and share what little they have" while opening doors to lead people to Christ in tandem with local churches. [MNN, 28 July'08]
RADIO STATIONS IN GUATEMALA FORCED OFF AIR
Most Christian radio stations in Guatemala have been forced off the air because of the pressure secular radio stations are exerting on the government. "Over the past 4 years the [Guatemalan] Congress has received a lot of pressure from the secular radio station owners that they're losing revenue to the Christian stations which are becoming more and more popular," said one radio station owner. Congress has refused to move on the issue, so it could be another 4 years before it's resolved. Police have reportedly used violent tactics in taking some of the stations off the air. Radio licenses in the country are so expensive that many missions and churches have decided to operate on community frequencies similar to those on the U.S. non-commercial FM band. [OneNewsNow, RELIGION TODAY, 16 July'08]
HELPING THAILAND'S SEX SLAVES
Some package holidays in Thailand include the use of girls. Thousands of children are bought by tourists upon arrival, or pre-selected beforehand, with the ease-and almost the same cost--of buying a t-shirt. Started in 2006 by Mark and Sharon Biddell, SHE (Self Help and Empowerment) is a small Christian charity in Phuket committed to helping Thai women and children trapped in the commercial sex trade. The SHE centre provides employment, vocational training and counseling for women who want to start a new life. [http://www.shethailand.org]
AUSTRIANS MORE OPEN TO GOSPEL?
Austrians are becoming more open to hearing the gospel, say missionaries Joe and Brenda Ziska of Greater Europe Mission. Only about 25,000 of Austrian's 8 million people, or 0.3%, are evangelical Christians. "We've seen people going from being totally apathetic or against spiritual questions to being more open-especially some of the younger people," said Joe. Hapsburg, Austria, was once the centre of the Counter-Reformation. For about 200 years Christians who did not follow the Roman Catholic Church were forcibly reconverted or exiled from the Austrian empire. Today evangelical Christianity is still perceived as a cult, and Austrians tend to be reserved. "The Austrian is a very private person, so it takes a long time to get to know them," Brenda added. [MNN, 21 July'08]
DELIBERATE BABY DEATHS IN 2007
An estimated 46 million abortions take place worldwide each year. Russia has the most, with 2.6 million babies terminated in 2007 and the U.S. second with 1.2 million. In England and Wales this year, 196,000 able-bodied babies were aborted. The total number of abortions was 198,500, compared with 193,700 in 2006, a rise of 2.5%. Of these, just 1% (1,900) were carried out because of a risk that the child would be born handicapped.[CARE/EVANGELICALS NOW 8/08/NationMaster]
EVANGELISTIC TV SERIES FOR MANDARIN SPEAKERS
Crosstalk International has signed an agreement with GOOD TV Broadcasting in Taiwan to provide the television series, "Today with God," for broadcast in Chinese-speaking areas in the Mandarin language. "It's a blessing to know that the Word of God in dramatic form will be available directly in the living rooms of those that speak Mandarin," said host Randy Weiss. GOOD TV is the only Chinese Christian satellite TV channel, and "Today with God" is an episodic television series that was recently awarded the 2008 National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) media award for "Best Television Teaching program of the Year." The series provides dramatic reenactments of the gospel message as found in the books of Matthew, John and Acts. To date, episodes of the program have been developed in 7 languages that air across Europe, the U.K., North Africa/Middle East, Asia, Australia and the U.S. Translations in an additional 12 languages are in process. [CHRISTIAN NEWSWIRE/GOOD NEWS DAILY, 14 Aug.'08] OUTREACH INTRODUCES JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN TO CHRIST
International VIP Clubs is "a ministry that goes into the marketplace and meets with Japanese businessmen in local hotel restaurants," said Neal Hicks, one of its leaders. "In the context of business fellowship, we're able to introduce Japanese to Christ." VIP Clubs started in the 1990s and has 130 chapters nationwide in Japan. The outreach isn't limited to business people, however. Occasionally Buddhist monks, other people from the religious world and politicians will hear the gospel and come to the Lord. "The Japanese basically are not able to embrace the gospel because there's bondage from generations of Buddhism and Shintoism," Hicks explained. "They basically believe that they can't really be Christians because they would no longer be Japanese." VIP ministers to the Japanese from the top-down, starting with Japanese men who have some stature and clout in order to influence more people. [MNN, 24 June '08]
NETWORK TO MOBILIZE DIGITAL EVANGELISM RESOURCES
The new Global Use of Internet and Digital Evangelism (Guide) Network is an informal networking resource to enhance the global spread of the Gospel in multiple languages via the internet, mobile phone, and other digital
devices. The "Guide" encourages collaboration and sharing, and links with Internet Evangelism Day/Web Evangelism Guide, Internet Evangelism Coalition, Global Christian Internet Alliance, visionSynergy and the Lausanne Movement. It also includes a YahooGroup and a range of other resources, including a Wiki, blog and resource page on mobile evangelism, a group for those interested in children's online outreach, and free articles--both evangelistic and evangelism-challenge for Christians-as well as conference and seminar speakers on a worldwide basis. More information from the Guide Network Site at http://ied.gospelcom.net/network
HIGH FUEL PRICES HAMPER MISSIONS WORLDWIDE
The rising price of fuel is having a significant impact on missions, affecting evangelism, relief work, missionaries, mission transport and short-term outreach around the world. Living Water International (LWI) has 5,000 water projects in 13 countries, and the high cost of diesel fuel is causing them to cut back on the evangelistic aspect of its ministry. "We could serve 100,000 people two years ago, now we're only able to help 66,000 people," said LWI's Bruce Whitmire. Mission Aviation Fellowship reports it is cutting operation expenses by 10% worldwide to absorb the fuel costs, and OM International Ships are forced to pay twice as much for fuel as a year ago. The escalating cost of airline travel also means churches and teams are having difficulty organising short-term trips. Ministries around the world are asking Christians to pray and ask God what He'd have them give to help them reach the lost for Christ. [MNN & MISC. REPORTS]
CHURCHES CHARGED TO REMEMBER AIDS VICTIMS
Most of the 22,000 representatives of over 500 organisations from 77 countries that gathered in Mexico City this August for the 17th International AIDS Conference were faith-based. Christian leaders received both praise and criticism, assured of the church's unique potential in tackling the plight caused by HIV and AIDS. Rick Warren from Saddleback Church said the church could 'achieve what no one else can.' Tearfund's Matthew Frost told religious leaders that they held the key to reducing the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS sufferers. Dr Pauline Muchina of
UNAIDS agreed that 'people of faith . were there at the dawn of AIDS and remain today.' However, Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America called leaders to repent 'for a silent church and immobile
leaders who have shunned people with HIV and AIDS.' [THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND NEWSPAPER, 8 Aug.'08]
IN FACT: In 2007 there were 7,500 new HIV infections each day. 2 young people are infected every minute. Only 20%--one in five-people who are infected know they are HIV positive.
RESOURCES:
Help missionary artists supplement their finances through the sale of their art, and support mission projects at the same time. www.missionaryarts.com
From Seed to Fruit: Global Trends, Fruitful Practices, and Emerging Issuesamong Muslims, edited by Dr. J. Dudley Woodberry. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 406 pages. USD$20.99; discounts available. Most recent
worldwide research on witness to Christ among Muslim peoples. Includes a CD-ROM of supplemental resources.
Free "The Call to Business" DVD with downloadable study guide. See http://www.acalltobusiness.co.uk/article.aspx?menuId=2952
30 DAY MUSLIM PRAYER FOCUS during Ramadan, 1-30 September 2008. Resources available from http://www.30-days.net/
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NEWS BYTES is compiled monthly by Debbie Meroff of OM International, based in London, England. Material may be freely copied and forwarded. Items do not necessarily reflect OM's position and questions should be directed to the original news source. |
