News headlines for October 23rd 2002

(Iraq)-Headlining today’s news, as a military attack seems imminent in Iraq, an evangelical ministry is asking Christians to pray. According to Open Doors International’s[1] President Johan Companjen, there are many Christians in Iraq, and they could face hardship if war breaks out with the United States. “It will be tough because the church the Christians are identified with the west. Most Muslims, they see Christianity as a western religion, which is very unfortunate because it’s not. Jesus was born in the Middle East. That is a misconception that we see and the Christians really fight that every day.” However, Companjen believes this could also be a great time for the church in Iraq. He explains. “We have learned in Open Doors – almost 50 years of serving persecuted Christians, that a time of crisis is also a time of opportunity. And that’s what we hear often. They say pray for us. Don’t pray that it will go away, but that we will be faithful, that we will be strong, trusting the Lord because this is the time that He does things that we’ve never dreamt of.”

(Ivory Coast)–Elsewhere, the unrest in the Ivory Coast may be Satan trying to put a stop to evangelism in that African country. Evangelism Explosion’s[2] Ron Tyler says everything was going smoothly with evangelism training before the unrest. “Just the week before, we had just trained 25 pastors and church leaders. During that training 40 people came to a profession of faith in Christ. And, as a result of that we’ve had several demands and requests to come and help train. And, as a result of that, we’ve had to hold off on that training.” Tyler says this type of attack isn’t surprising to them. “We experience all the time in our work and we even tell the pastors when they’re going through the training that be prepared be faced with difficulties when you return home because Satan doesn’t want this ministry to take place in your church.” Tyler expects many to come to Christ during this time of uncertainty in the Ivory Coast. Pray for protection as ministry moves forward slowly.

(Russia)-Preparations are underway for a massive yearlong celebration in Russia. Walk Through the Bible’s[3] Terry Sparks says they are going to meet the Northern capital’s 300th jubilee in all its splendor. “St. Petersburg is having their 300th anniversary celebration as a city next year. Josh McDowell’s organization is trying to put together on coalition of Christians organizations to provide Christian emphasis and teaching during the whole year.” Sparks says they have been laying the groundwork throughout Russia and the CIS in anticipation of what will happen in the near future. “We’re excited to have trained some people to help with the follow up and the discipleship process of people who may become new Christians during this time.” Please pray that the seeds of the Gospel will bear fruit, and that the churches will be ready to respond.

(Yugoslavia)–Next, the Bible League[4] has begun a new ministry in Yugoslavia. Dedication of the agency’s new office is slated for November 9th. The Bible League will be focusing its efforts on reaching the country’s Serbian people with the hope and peace of the Gospel. ‘Project Philip’ study materials are in the early stages of readiness for distribution. The Bible League hopes Yugoslavia’s churches will be able to access this study program by January 2003.

(Africa)–And, the Jesus Film Project’s[5] “African Sunrise” just completed Phase One in eleven countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. The goal was to share the Gospel with 50 million people in 50 cities over 50 days. At a recent meeting in Madagascar, of the 200 guests, 144 indicated decisions for Christ and 120 wanted to enter into a Bible study. On the island of Mauritius, of the 40 dignitaries who attended, 38 turned in response cards. Of those, nine indicated decisions for Christ, and 19 wanted more information.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EEI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WTTB [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BLG [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP