News headlines for January 13th 2003

(India)–In the headlines, Tamil Nadu’s controversial anti-conversion law is being challenged in India’s High Court. The appeal reportedly cites the oppression suffered by the Dalits as the reason why the group abandoned Hinduism and embraced other faiths. Bibles For the World’s[1] Rochunga Pudaite says there is growing pressure to throw the law out. “The Christians are really protesting right now. Even the newspapers are protesting, and the leader of the untouchables has been calling this the most undemocratic law that has ever been passed. He has been really protesting against it, too. So, let’s pray and join with them, that by the grace of God, the law would be reversed.” Pudaite says the atmosphere has forced them to scale back. “In the law, even providing Bibles is to be considered as inducement. We are working very circumspectly and not doing as much as we had been doing. But, I think the law will be overturned and we will be able to do a much bigger job than we have ever done before.”

(India)–Our story continues in India where there’s been word that the untouchables, or Dalits, continue to renounce Hinduism. Dayspring International’s[2] John Gilman urges evangelistic groups to work through this open door. “We need to be one in our voice to respond to the cry of this huge population of people; to reach out in compassion, not to exploit this moment for personal ministry growth, or our own ambition, but to be very sensitive to their needs.” Gilman says the Dalits are beginning to realize what is true individualism. “Their first step to freedom is to discover that they can be free after 3500 years of enslavement in this Hindu caste system. The leaders of this movement have talked privately with a number of Christian leaders in India and said that the hope for their people was in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles that are found in Scripture.” Dayspring shares the hope of the Gospel through their all-Indian acted film on the life of Christ.

(Australia)– HCJB World Radio[3] has launched a new short-wave station in northern Australia. When the facility is in full operation, the signal will be within the range of more than 3.5 billion people. HCJB supporters began praying several years ago that the Australian government would grant a license for the privately owned international station. The government not only awarded one, but four licenses to broadcast via short-wave the Gospel message of Christ.

(USA)–Next, Bible Pathway Ministries[4] has launched this year with an emphasis on getting people to read the entire Bible. Pathway’s Ken Sharp says as a result, many more nationwide are working together in order to read through the Bible in a year. Sharp says they’re excited about how people are rising to the challenge. “The response so far this year, in the year 2003, has been just unprecedented as far as people writing in and calling in to have a reading guide to help them to read through the Bible.” Sharp thinks the past year’s current events have played a role in the response rates. “I think the reason that is, is because so many people have, in the last few years, tried just about everything else to find happiness, satisfaction, and seeking guidance for their various concerns and now they’re turning to God’s counsel, to His word.”

(Denmark)–And, 75 new Christian programs for children were recently recorded in Denmark. The programs will be transmitted over SAT 7[5] and broadcast over a 15-week period. The program, known as “As Sanabel” ,has used creative ways to impact the lives of children for Christ. Host, Rita Younes, also try’s to share the love of Christ by making personal visits to many of the children who watch her program and has made trips from Tunisia to Turkey.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BFTW [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=DAY [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HCJB [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BPM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SAT7 ———————————————————————

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