News headlines for January 10th 2003

(Ghana)–We begin today’s newscast in Ghana, West Africa, where one missions agency has suffered a devastating setback in their work. A power surge sparked a fire that gutted African Enterprise’s[1] office. Ghana team leader Nii Amoo. “We lost everything. Unfortunately, the house was not insured, our contents were not insured, and we have lost everything. It has completely devastated the building. The building itself has cracks. The upstairs space will need to be pulled down [in order] to be rebuilt. As a result, we have moved out.” Amoo says even though they have to start over, their ministry continues. “We are praying to God that in the midst of everything that was lost, we’ll still continue to do ministry with them. We are going to have a medical mission. We also have outreaches to orphanages, and then also, to some schools; [and] we are planning some evangelistic outreaches.”

(International)–Meanwhile, a call has resounded throughout the Christian world to reach the most isolated of the still unreached people groups. In response, Sammy Tippit Ministries[2] and The JESUS Film Project[3] have entered into a strategic partnership. Tippit explains who they’re trying to reach. “This is one of the most difficult people groups in the whole world. It includes Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. So, we began to pray together, dream together, and work together in reaching into the Persian world, and that has grown immensely.” Tippit says the Jesus Film, coupled with his digital teaching series, will then be followed by three days of meetings. “So, you’d have the story of Christ, followed by a proclamation of what that means to you. We feel like that type of thing can really produce a lot of long lasting, long-term commitments to Christ in some very strategic areas of the world.”

(Panama)–Nearly one thousand teens and young adults from Latin America are hearing God’s call to mission service at the region’s first Urbana-style conference in Panama. Latin America Mission’s[4] Ken MacHarg filed this report from Latina 2003. “Using the theme, “It’s time to respond”, participants are seeking further training and a confirmation of their call to service. Speakers have challenged the young people to put aside shallow, misleading caricatures of Jesus to search for the true Christ and His call. Workshops are offered in training and children’s ministry, university evangelism, camping, theological education, pastoral ministries in other mission areas. Challenging the young people concerning their call and vocation, one speaker said, ‘Often our work is used to pay for our sins. We need to use it to build the kingdom of God.’ For Mission Network News, I’m Ken MacHarg in Panama.”

(Australia)–Next, Grace Ministries'[5] missionary Andy Hollier has returned to the States but is praying that his new outreach ministry in Australia will continue to be effective in spite of his absence. The students are now using the videotaped messages he prepared ahead of time during his absence. Grace Ministries International prays that this new group of students in North Sydney will gain a better understanding of who Christ is and in turn further the Gospel message to others.

(Undated)–And, doctors say Don Caswell, the International Mission Board[6] worker who survived the December 30th shootings at the Baptist hospital in Yemen, will recover fully from his injuries. Within two to three weeks, Caswell should be ready to resume normal activities, though it will be a couple of months before his endurance returns to normal. No information has been released about where Caswell will go after his recuperation. Please pray for the rest of the hospital staff as they recover emotionally from the attacks.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=AEI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=STM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LAM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMI [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IMB ———————————————————————

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