News headlines for November 29th 2002

(USA) — We begin today in the United States where the country founded on God is now a country in need of missionaries. That’s the word from American Missionary Fellowship[1] ‘s Lee Iseley (iyz-lee). “All around the world Christianity is the fastest growing religion. The only country where Christianity is not growing is America. And so, we’re discovering that America is the new mission field. And, I think it’s not just apathy, but it’s a sense of not understanding the seriousness of reaching our land with the message of Jesus Christ. We’re seeing that God is bring the world to America.” Iseley says American Missionary Fellowship is retooling their evangelistic efforts. “We have committed ourselves to reaching the children and the young adults for Christ because the statistics tell us that 85-percent of people who come to Christ, come to Christ before they’re 25 years of age.” Iseley is recruiting young Bible school graduates to help in this effort.

(India) — Next, many Christians around the world are getting ready to celebrate
the birth of Christ. Bibles For the World[2] is as well. He’s in India and
will be the keynote speaker of the Jesus Festival in New Delhi. “On the 30th
of November I’ll be the main speaker for (an) Advent Christmas celebration,
which will be attended by 6,000 people, mostly government workers and servants.
In the previous times, most of the national leaders were in attendance in these
meetings. It will also be televised.” He is asking people to pray that
many will turn to Christ. And, as millions of Dalits continue to reject the
Hindu faith, he’s also pleading for something else. “Right now, more than
anything else, I need Bibles. I just have to have one million Bibles printed
as soon as possible because the requests have been coming so heavy. And, if
any of your audience can give something for Bibles I would be very grateful.”

(Vietnam) — In recent days the Voice of the Martyrs[3] has received several reports of renewed intensity in the persecution of highland Christians in Vietnam. VOM indicates 354 of 412 churches have been forced to close in Dak Lak Province. The remaining 58 are also expected to be closed. Nearly 50 pastors have also disappeared. These people are strongly evangelical. Pray that these believers will stand firm in their faith and that many will come to Christ as a result.

(Bali) — Meanwhile, a new FM radio station is on the air in Bali with a purpose of sharing the gospel. The Far East Broadcasting Company[4] just opened the station and as Chris Slabaugh tells us, getting the station was an act of God. “We had about two weeks to arrange the funding for the license, the license became available and we had about two weeks to put together a significant sum of money to pay for the license, as these licenses are not readily available in that country.” Slabaugh says they want to make sure this opportunity does not slip by. “The purpose of any radio station as far as the Far East Broadcasting is concerned is to help reach the national people with the gospel. And this particular area in Bali we have looked at for some time.” Slabaugh says the station that will provide instrumental music and a short message in the evening during its first few months on the air. They expect to have nationals involved in training to help improve the economy.

(USA) — And finally, a man who gave away his fortune to help the poor in Jesus name is being honored next week. Millard and Linda Fuller who started Habitat For Humanity International[5] will be honored by former President George Bush on December 2nd as part of the Points of Light Foundation’s “The Extra Mile” bronze medallion award. Through his organization Fuller has been responsible for building more than 125-thousand homes for people in need in 87 countries around the world.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AMF [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BFTW [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=VOM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FEBC [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HFHI ———————————————————————

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