os.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau”>http://au.photos.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau http://community.webshots.com/user/ramon_williams ——————————————————————- Telling others, what others are doing for the Lord.

News headlines for January 8th 2003

(Southern Africa)–Topping the news, 18-million people are now at risk of starvation in seven south African countries. The crisis has sharply increased due to the combined effects of drought and poor government policies. World Vision’s[1] Carla Andersen says they are still providing for the urgent needs, but they’re also looking at helping solve the problem. “Our development activities include distribution of seeds and tools. We also work a lot with the people to educate them about techniques in planting, crop rotations, better irrigation systems and helping them to recover from the problem so that it won’t continue in the coming years.” Andersen says their teams often have a chance for evangelistic outreach and a future ministry. “We carry out our activities as an extension of Christ’s love, and we also partner with many Christian organizations in all the countries where we work as well as the local churches and we provide all of our relief and development activities without any discrimination.”

(Nigeria)–We turn now to Nigeria, where Christians have been living with rising persecution in some states that are under a full-Islamic law government. Sectarian fighting has resulted in much destruction and death. Baptist World Alliance’s[2] Denton Lotz explains the situation. “There’s an underlying rivalry, almost, between these two groups, and that’s unfortunate. The Christians in Nigeria and the responsible Muslim leaders have come together and said ‘this isn’t right.’ And with that openness, Lotz says the church continues to grow. “There’s a tremendous response to the Gospel, partially because they’ve been living in such desperate times. Here it’s an oil-producing country, but they’ve had oil shortages. There’s a real disparity between the rich and the poor and between those who have and those who do not have, and so, the Gospel come in as a moderating force and it gives people hope.” Lotz says the Alliance is encouraging Nigerian believers by helping to fix some of the structures ruined in the most recent riots.

(Undated)–After enduring a stop-and-go recovery last year, economic experts say America should enjoy stronger economic growth in 2003. However, there is a lag effect on non-profit groups, like mission agencies. International Needs Network[3] spokesman, Dave Culross. “The statistics are showing that charitable giving across the board in North America has decline from three-point-four percent of income to two-point-seven percent. Now, that’s about a 25-percent decline in the amount of giving to charitable organizations. That computes to millions and millions of dollars to various organizations.” Culross suggests that this tends to have a negative impact on missions outreach because: “One of the significant factors in this downturn is based on the fact, I think, that many of the people who have both the passionate vision for world mission and the resources to fund it are providing resources from their stock portfolios and incomes of investments that they’ve made over a lifetime of accumulating their assets.”

(USA)–Next, Crossroad Bible Institute[4] teachers continue to expand their ministry within prison walls. The Newton Correctional Facility in Pella, Iowa now has a “Christian” wing that is run by Prison Fellowship. Crossroad Bible Institute says the positive change in the lives of prisoners in that special pod has been dramatic. CBI offers long term, in-depth Biblical correspondence courses geared to disciple Christian inmates and preparing them for release.

(International)–And, Habitat for Humanity[5] is showing the love of Christ through their ministry by providing affordable housing globally. The group is expanding their work in Russia, Cambodia, Panama and the Republic of Ireland. They have plans early this year, to begin renovation work for two families in Russia. Statistics show that more than 72% of the population there lives in substandard housing. By 2005, Habitat for Humanity hoped to be building homes with people in need of decent housing in 100 nations.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BWA [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=INN [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRBI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HFHI ———————————————————————

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