News headlines for January 1st 2003

(International)–Topping the news, Christmas week was deadly in Pakistan and India, just as the days ushering in a new year were deadly for a Christian hospital in Yemen. Open Doors'[1] Jerry Kitchel suggests that the issue of persecution is not one that will fade. He points to the evidence of 2002. “Just in the past year, we’ve seen such an increase in violence directed toward Christians, especially those that are living in Muslim countries. It’s quite obvious that the situation for them is more complicated, it’s more demanding and they’re being exposed to considerably more violence.” Kitchel describes the trouble as a wake-up call. “As we look back on the past year, and recap some of the tragic events that have taken place, in some of these difficult countries, at the same time, we’re looking ahead to the New Year and saying this is a demand placed on the church here in the United States to be more mindful than ever that persecution is definitely on the increase.”

(Venezuela)–Elsewhere, political unrest in Venezuela is hampering ministry in the country. STEM International’s[2] Jim Levin says last year, a ministry team presented thousands with the Gospel. The response was so good, that they planned another trip this year in the same community. “Just in the past week we’ve had too revamp that and redirect the team that had planned to go there to another nation because of political problems.” A national oil strike has effectively shut down the country and immobilized the economy. Levin says believers should pray because the strike has put pressure on families. “We would ask people’s prayers that they’d be able to solve those political problems soon. Its deep and its very difficult. Our friends in Venezuela have e-mailed telling that it doesn’t look like this will blow over quickly.” Levin asks people pray to about the believers’ faith that becomes an example of Christ during this difficult time in that nation’s history.

(India)–Despite tribal violence in northern India many are turning to Christ. That’s the word from Christian Aid Mission[3] . An itinerate evangelist reports that nearly three thousand people committed their lives to Christ during weekend meetings recently in the state of Meghalaya. Even though violence was a threat, the open air meetings were held and nearly nine-thousand people heard the Gospel without incident. Continue to pray that many will come to Christ as they search for answers during these unsettling times.

(International)–Next, even as believers are becoming notable targets in many areas hostile to the Gospel, there is some hope. Despite the oppression experienced by Christians, and the risk, the church is growing. Global Advance’s[4] Dr. David Shibley explains one of the trends he sees in evangelistic work for 2003 in response to the security threats posed around the world. “I see two very strong trends in the coming year. The first is the ongoing indigenizing of the church around the world, and the power base of Christianity shifting to the southern hemisphere, and the newer more vigorous churches of Africa, Asia and Latin America.” Shibley says he has noticed a second movement that is equally exciting. “The second trend here in the United States, is that I expect an extreme youth revival. I think we’ve seen remnants of that and the beginnings of that over the last several years.”

(Korea)–And, the Association of Christian Schools International[5] reports that nearly a quarter of its secondary student body in Korea are slated for a missions trip this year. A majority of the involved students at the International Christian School in Seoul will be using their spring break for missions programs. Please pray for the teachers as they continue to share the hope of Christ with their unsaved students during the school year, and that the students will respond.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ODM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=STEM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CAID [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GAM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ACSI ———————————————————————

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