News headlines for December 18th 2002

(Venezuela)–Topping the news, violent clashes over reported governmental corruption have not prevented the Gospel from spreading in Venezuela. As the economic and political situation continues to spiral out of control, Omar Rodriguez of the Evangelical Free Church Mission[1] says people are finding stability in the truth. “The church has an unprecedented opportunity right now to share the Gospel that many people will find their hope and their faith for the future, not just of Venezuela, but of their families and themselves and Jesus Christ. As the Christmas season approaches, there’s just unlimited potential right now to share the Gospel.” Rodriguez says as the turmoil strikes at the people, it has presented a captive audience for teens eager to share their faith. “In our particular church, the youth are going to the different gas stations where there’s long lines and they’re distributing bottled water, and then tracts to people, and sharing the Gospel.” Pray for the believers’ safety during the unrest that plagues the country.

(India)–We turn next to India where hard-line Hindu supremacists see their party’s victory this week in Gujarat as a mandate to turn secular India into a Hindu state. East-West Ministries'[2] John Maisel says the Hindu leaders there are: “…strongly focused on a nationalistic Hindu type of direction as far as their country; almost like the Al Qaeda or the militant Islamists that want to make their countries just strict Islam-type countries. You’re having some of the same set of dynamics in India among the Hindus.” While caution is exercised, Maisel says the training goes on. “We’ve had to move one of our training sessions out of a place where we had a number of our guys get beat up by the Hindus and move to another location that’d be a little bit safer. Just pray that God would allow the ones that are in our center, and that we’re sending back in as church planters, that they’d be able to get out of the country.”

(Hungary)–As thousands of refugees fled out of Afghanistan and Pakistan seeking refuge in Hungary, new needs cropped up. For many, an education becomes the only way out of the poverty following the war survivors…and that’s where the work of Educational Services International[3] comes in. ESI’s Stephanie Tebow says they’re now working in the refugee camps around Budapest. “These are all Muslim refugees-and it’s a rare opportunity to be able to first, serve, and second, to witness to an unreached people group in a secure setting. Many of them have lost family members, children or parents, and are in desperate need of hope and love and kindness.” Tebow says the opportunities for ministry are growing; she asks people to pray for open hearts. “We will also be teaching English there to adults, and we will also be teaching English language learning camp for children. Our hope is to show them that Christianity is about love and is about serving one another and is even for them.”

(Russia)–Meanwhile, after two years of prayer and planning Operation Mobilization[4] has taken steps to send a new team to the Far East of Russia. Field leader Lloyd Porter says that God has recently proved them with potential team leaders and members that are excited to minister in that isolated area. So far the details have fallen into place but they continue to ask God to direct and provide all that is necessary to start the team by the end of February 2003.

(Germany)–And, 2003 will mark the Year of the Bible in Germany. The International Bible Society[5] has been gearing up for the event by working on a project which will provide the country with complete and limited editions of the New Testament. Each has a unique cover and includes a greeting from the mayor and community spiritual leaders. Contact information for follow up has also been included to help those wanting additional answers to their spiritual questions.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EFCM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EWM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ESI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OMI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IBS ———————————————————————

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