News headlines for November 7th 2002

(India)–In the headlines, acts of violence against Christians have increased in light of recent legislation forbidding religious conversions. The law was in response to a mass renunciation of the Hindu faith by the Dalits, or untouchables. Gospel For Asia’s[1] K-P Yohannon says because of the Hindu oppression, violence is increasing. “There is a huge uprising going on throughout the whole country. 300-million Dalits–these untouchables are saying, ‘We are cursed under Hinduism, we are slaves, we are not even human beings’.” Yohannon says the most recent incident involved the lynching of five Dalits by the upper caste. But, even in that, he says there is evidence of a hopeful future. “Again, this is the tip of the iceberg that says God is working behind the scenes. These millions and millions of Dalits are seeking a way out of the Hindu caste system, we are believing God that million will turn to the Lord for true freedom.”

(India)–Meanwhile, the International Bible Society[2] yesterday released a contemporary language version of the Tamil Bible at a dedication in Sri Lanka. More than 66 million people speak Tamil, mostly in India and Sri Lanka. The New Tamil Bible updates a translation that was completed by British missionaries in 1871. The director of IBS in Sri Lanka said he hopes the translation will help contribute to peace on the war-torn island. IBS released a contemporary translation of the Tamil New Testament in 1981.

(Nigeria)–Nigeria’s upcoming 2003 general elections have presented a bevy of presidential candidates. The development has alarmed some authorities who say that could set the stage for civil unrest. SIM’s[3] Bill Foute (fowt) says the history of trouble that follows Nigeria presents its own “trial by fire” for their ministry. “The big challenge for us: to disciple people to really follow the Lord day in and day out. The Christian faith of many tends to be fairly shallow, and then secondly, probably the biggest challenge is how to respond to Islam, especially in the northern parts of the country.” Foute says that the spiritual climate is still good for evangelistic work, but asks for prayer. “Right now, the church has great freedom, the Head of State is a Christian and there is democracy and freedom of religion. The only place where that’s a bit altered is in the north. There are about twelve states that have instituted Sharia or Islamic law.”

(Russia)–Next, Russian churches need your help as they attempt to reach children with the Gospel. The Slavic Gospel Association[4] has started what they’re calling “Emanuel’s Child” an effort to help Russian churches establish effective outreaches for children. SGA’s Michael Johnson says your gift of 25-dollars helps buy gifts, Bibles and humanitarian aid attracting children to church. “Over 90-percent of the children that come to these outreaches have never stepped foot in a church. They’ve never heard the Gospel. So, this is an opportunity for these kids to hear the Gospel for the very first time, and their families. And, we anticipate that thousands and thousands of children throughout the former Soviet Union will hear the Gospel for the first time.” Johnson says these are troubling times for Russia, but opportunities for ministry continue. “Their economy, the crime rate, the drug problems, all the social problems that they’re experiencing has left these people with a tremendous emptiness and hopelessness and it’s through that, that the Gospel is being preached and many people are coming to faith.”

(Mexico)–And finally, an Evangelical Free Church Mission[5] delegation is in Mexico this week to evaluate their work there and plan for the future. This is the first time the field will be together with the new Mexico Country Leader, Bryan Kline, so the next few days are crucial. The team also has planned considerable time with the national church, which just wrapped up its national conference. The EFCM works to glorify God through discipleship with the goal of launching church-planting movements internationally.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GFA [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IBS [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SIM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SGA [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EFCM