VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES AGAIN RAID MENNONITE CENTER

MUSLIM EXTREMISTS THREATEN TO KILL CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN NIGERIA

CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN IRAQ PLEAD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL EQUALITY

RUSSIA’S FIRST RELIGIOUS TELEVISION CHANNEL READY TO LAUNCH

1,000 VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD HOMES, SHARE CHRIST IN MEXICO

Today’s Top Stories:

VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES AGAIN RAID MENNONITE CENTER

Just five days after authorities demolished a section of a Mennonite church center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, officials forced their way to disband a prayer meeting the evening of Sunday, July 24. As Christians were praying quietly, one of 30 local authorities shouted at them to stop and ordered Le Thi Phu Dzung (wife of imprisoned pastor Nguyen Hong Quang) to disband the meeting. Dzung was cited for “gathering a crowd and disturbing public order” and “conducting illegal religious activities.” Officials returned to the Mennonite center just before 9 p.m. for a second raid on a tip that Dzung had convened another meeting. Finding no meeting, the security police instead threatened to confiscate motorcycles parked inside the building. A prominent house church leader remarked that the May 2005 U.S.-Vietnam agreement on improving religious liberty is “on trial.” (Compass)

MUSLIM EXTREMISTS THREATEN TO KILL CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN NIGERIA

A band of Muslim extremists has pronounced a “death sentence” on a Christian family and assaulted the father after accusing his daughter of selling pork 12 years ago. The militants came to the home of the father, 57-year-old Emma Osagie, in Ikorodu, Lagos state, looking for his 16-year-old daughter, Bridget, on Friday, July 15. Not finding her, they beat her father. The Osagie family denied that Bridget ever sold pork, something that would be contrary to Islamic law (sharia). At the time of the original allegation in 1993, she was just 4 years old. Even if the accusations were true, sharia is not in effect in Lagos state. Osagie reported the assault to police and petitioned the Nigerian government for help, but officials have done nothing. The extremists have vowed to return. (Compass)

CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN IRAQ PLEAD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL EQUALITY

Leaders of nine Christian denominations in Iraq signed a letter pleading for the equality of all faiths in the new constitution. The leaders are concerned after reports that the Shi’a majority is pushing for Islamic law (sharia) to be enshrined in the constitution. An e-mail from the Barnabas Fund reads in part, “If there is a move towards the confirmation of the role of the Islamic religion in Iraqi society, then it is only natural to confirm the role of other religions that have been historically established in Iraq. We are only asking for . . . equality, freedom and equal opportunities and the prevention of racial, religious and denominational discrimination.” A draft constitution is being prepared by a subcommittee of the Iraqi Assembly, which must be completed by Aug. 15 and will then be evaluated and possibly revised by the Assembly. Bishop Andreas Abouna, who presented the letter, said a pro-sharia constitution would result in “such a massive exodus of Christians from Iraq that the Christian presence could practically disappear.” (Assist News Service)

RUSSIA’S FIRST RELIGIOUS TELEVISION CHANNEL READY TO LAUNCH

Russia’s first television channel devoted to religion will launch Thursday, July 28, as part of the subscriber services of satellite broadcaster NTV-Plus, the company said Monday. The new channel, Spas (Saved), is the brainchild of television presenter Ivan Demidov, known throughout Russia as the face of a popular weekly music show of the 1990s, “Muzoboza.” It will devote 40 percent of its 16 daily broadcasting hours to Russian Orthodox themes with the rest of the time for general interest talk shows, documentaries and educational programming. An advisory board including members of the Russian parliament and senior figures from the Orthodox Church will set the channel’s agenda and decide on programming strategies. NTV-Plus declined to comment on press reports that at least part of the budget will come from state coffers. Spokesperson Anastasya Kazakova said the channel is being set up in response to a growing interest in Russia in religion and orthodoxy. “The decision to launch Spas has been thought through and reflects the importance today of spiritual and moral education, and the growing interest of Russians in Orthodox culture and history,” she said. (WorldWide Religious News/Hollywood Reporter)

1,000 VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD HOMES, SHARE CHRIST IN MEXICO

About 1,000 young volunteers with Baja Christian Ministries (BCM) will cross the southern border of California into Mexico to build homes for the poor and evangelize 10,000 people with a message of new hope in Jesus Christ. “This is the biggest thing we’ve ever done,” said BCM founder Bob Sanders. BCM is working in partnership with Global Expeditions and the Newsboys to put on the event which will feature an open-air concert on Thursday, Aug 4. Contractors will fly in from across the U.S. to oversee volunteers constructing 26 homes. Sanders’ goal is to mobilize an army of volunteers to eventually build 10,000 homes in Baja California and reach 1 million for Christ. His strategy involves evangelism, church planting, house building and food distribution. This year BCM will build 200 modest dwellings in the Tijuana area for needy families. Sanders is seeking 10,000 prayer partners to commit one minute a day in prayer for Baja. “Baja is ready for revival,” he said. “We’re going to pray and anticipate God will do something significant.” (Assist News Service)