News headlines for November 6th 2002

(Nepal)–Topping the news, an appeal in the case of native missionary has been filed with the Supreme Court of Nepal. The first hearing has been slated for November 14th in Kathmandu. Falsely accused and convicted of murder, the missionary is serving his third year in prison under a 20-year sentence. Gospel For Asia’s[1] K-P Yohannan. “Once some sober-minded judges look at this thing, they will see that he’s totally innocent. Talking to Manja (Tamang), our leaders tell me he’s in good spirits. He’s saying that, ‘My God has allowed me to be in jail for some wonderful plan.'” Yohannan says despite imprisonment, their worker is planting seeds of the Gospel. “I’m told [that] not a day goes by that someone is praying with him to receive Christ in this life, because they are going nowhere-he’s in prison with these people and as he witnesses about the Lord and talks to people, people are opening their hearts to the Lord.”

(International)–Next, Christians around the world will gather to pray this Sunday for the persecuted church. Mission Network News’ Ruth Bliss has the details. “Johan Companjen with Open Doors[2] says they expect 100-thousand churches in North America to join with 200-thousand worldwide to pray for faith and unity for those who suffer religious persecution. While some may pray for deliverance, Companjen says the churches that suffer see this as an occasion of blessing. “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 it will go away, but that we will be faithful, we’ll be strong, trusting the Lord because this is the time that He does things that we never dreamt of.’ ” Companjen says that many Americans don’t realize that Christians are being persecuted daily around the world. He adds that prayer is needed because while some countries appear to be opening to the Gospel, more are placing stiffer restrictions on believers. For Mission Network News, I’m Ruth Bliss.” The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 10.

(China)–This year’s Southern Baptist International Missions[3] Emphasis will focus on targeting the people of China with the Gospel message. This summer the challenge went out to charge Christians with “Empowering Kingdom Growth” vision. Southern Baptists are to find ways to they can help forward the work of evangelism in China. Leaders believe that if Christians continue to look outward, they, in turn, will begin to see God making a major change among themselves and the Chinese people.

(Russia)–And, third-world orphans are among the most neglected children in the world. But, one agency is looking to bring a little comfort to their lives. Buckner Care International’s[4] Tiffany Taylor says the numbers are staggering. “These children are literally housed in institutions we’re talking 600 to 700 thousand children in Russia alone. Millions of children in Africa, the needs are overwhelming.” Buckner is collecting pairs of shoes to give to orphans. Taylor says they’re doing this because most orphanages are simply not equipped to supply more beyond the basic needs of shelter and food. “By and large, these countries are not/don’t know any of the newest ways to treat the children… trying to de-institutionalize the children…trying to get the children the help they need.” Buckner asks people to pray for their workers as they share the love of Christ with these orphan children. If you’d like more information on the shoe drive, call our resource line.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GFA [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOC ———————————————————————

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