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Today’s News Headlines:

RELIGIOUS GROUPS UNITE TO PROTEST NEW RELIGION LAW IN INDIAN STATE REBEL ATTACKS IN UGANDA FORCE CHURCH MEMBERS TO SCATTER 17 INNOCENT PRISONERS TO BE SET FREE IN PERU GOSPEL TO BE PREACHED TO WORLDWIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY VIA INTERNET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, SALVATION ARMY JOIN IN MINISTRY BRAZIL COULD BE KEY TO EVANGELIZING MUSLIMS IN ARAB WORLD

Today’s News Stories:

RELIGIOUS GROUPS UNITE TO PROTEST NEW RELIGION LAW IN INDIAN STATE In a rare show of solidarity, Christian, Islamic and Dalit (people outside of the caste system) leaders met in Madurai, India, Oct. 10 to plan action against a new law passed in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state. The law, issued on Oct. 5, prohibits “conversion from one religion to another by the use of force or allurements or by fraudulent means and for the matters incidental thereto.” Violators face prison sentences of up to five years and fines of about US$2,000. Christian and Muslim leaders have denounced any suggestion that they are involved in forced or coerced conversions. However, there are concerns throughout the religious communities that the law will be used by the predominantly Hindu authorities to prevent any conversions. The leader of one militant Hindu group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said recently, “No one converts voluntarily. It is motivated by greed.” There are concerns about similar laws spreading throughout India, with support being expressed by various leaders, including the president of India’s ruling BJP party. Demonstrations and rallies are planned for Saturday, Oct. 19, to protest the new law. The United Christian Council, various political parties and other organizations also called for a day of fasting on Thursday, Oct. 24. Institutions run by minority groups in India will be closed that day. (Voice of the Martyrs)

* In partnership with FEBA Radio, HCJB World Radio airs weekly Christian programs to eastern India via shortwave in three languages: Bhojpuri, Chattisgarhi and Mundari. HCJB World Radio also broadcasts 1.5 hours of English programming daily to India via shortwave from South America. The ministry is investigating potential opportunities to help launch local Christian stations in key cities across India.

REBEL ATTACKS IN UGANDA FORCE CHURCH MEMBERS TO SCATTER A recent dramatic increase in attacks by Kony rebels in Uganda has caused about 175 members of Seventh-day Adventist churches to scatter, and their situation is currently unknown, reports Beat Odermatt, president of the church in southern Sudan. An increase in attacks on the highway between the Ugandan cities of Kampala and Arua has also resulted in the death of one church member, a merchant from Sudan who was killed when the bus he was riding in came under attack. Kony rebels have also attacked refugee camps in Acholpii and burned more than 150 grass huts, causing about 25,000 refugees to flee further south, leaving their possessions behind. The risks involved in transporting food and other necessities have caused many groups, including the U.N., to suspend deliveries to towns and refugee camps. In mid-September a U.N. driver was killed and several others were seriously injured. (Adventist News Network)

* HCJB World Radio, together with the Evangelical Churches of Kampala and FEBA Radio, broadcasts the gospel locally in Uganda on two FM transmitters. HCJB World Radio also worked with Jesus Focus Ministries to put a 500-watt FM station on the air in Masaka. Programs air in English and Luganda.

17 INNOCENT PRISONERS TO BE SET FREE IN PERU Seventeen innocent men and women in Peru, some of whom had been imprisoned for more than 10 years, will be freed from prison this weekend. The inmates had all been recommended for release as early as May but were unable to walk free because Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo did not sign their pardons until this week. One of the prisoners, 34-year-old Apaza Vargas, described the agony of waiting each day to hear whether or not his pardon had been signed. “I have in my memory beautiful stories which I have lived through these more than seven hard and difficult years,” he said. “The glory of our Redeemer fills me with the blessing of being helped by brothers and sisters whom I never imagined would worry about this humble servant. I will never forget this beautiful experience, and it will always be a blessing that Christ gave me in the midst of this familiar pain [as I awaited the] signature of the president of Peru.” (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

GOSPEL TO BE PREACHED TO WORLDWIDE SIMULTANEOUSLY VIA INTERNET The gospel message will be preached simultaneously to all of the world’s 237 sovereign nations via the Internet on Friday, Oct. 18. The event will coincide with the 81st birthday of veteran missions leader Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and chairman of the Global Pastors Network which is hosting the historic “WorldCast Celebration” in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 18-19. Bright is one of 16 prominent mission leaders and pastors who will make presentations during the two-day event. His half-hour message, “Grace for Every Race,” will be heard simultaneously around the world starting at 10:15 a.m. EDT Friday. To listen, visit http://www.GlobalPastorsNetwork.org. (Global Pastors Network)

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, SALVATION ARMY JOIN IN MINISTRY In a “mutual desire to cooperate in ministry,” International Bible Society (IBS) President Peter Bradley and Salvation Army National Chief Secretary Col. Thomas Lewis signed a memorandum of understanding in Colorado Springs, Colo., Friday, Oct. 4. “By complementing each other’s strengths,” the memorandum states, “we can expand the impact of our respective organizations.” IBS will produce a new version of its disaster booklet, “When Your Whole World Changes,” to be used by the Salvation Army when reaching out to disaster survivors. IBS has also formed a team of volunteer staff members who will minister alongside the Salvation Army during times of disaster. “The potential of releasing God’s power through His Word coupled with God’s love and mercy through the wonderful outreach of the Salvation Army is beyond measurement,” Bradley stated in a letter to Lewis. (International Bible Society)

BRAZIL COULD BE KEY TO EVANGELIZING MUSLIMS IN ARAB WORLD Brazil could be one of the key countries that will evangelize the Arab world, says David Shibley of Global Advance who recently returned from the Frontline Shepherds’ Conference in Manaus. More than 1,000 pastors and church leaders attended the event. “What was particularly thrilling to me was to see literally hundreds upon hundreds of pastors who committed to plant at least one new church within the next 12 months,” he says. “Hundreds of young Brazilian pastors and church leaders also committed themselves to cross-cultural missionary service.” Because of cultural similarities, Shibley says Brazilians could be the key to reaching the Arab world for Christ. “They laughingly joke about even their skin type being similar to that of many of the Arab-speaking peoples. I believe there are some natural parallels that the Brazilian church has that makes them prime candidates to be missionaries to the Islamic world.” (Mission Network News)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * James A. Ferrier HCJB World Radio U.S. Ministries Communications Director E-mail: Phone: 1-719-590-9800 Fax: 1-719-590-9801 Web: http://www.hcjb.org http://www.beyondthecall.org * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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