News headlines for January 23rd 2003

(Malawi)–We begin today in Malawi, where three and a half million people are in danger of starvation and harvest prospects look bleak. According to the United Nations, those numbers are expected to rise significantly this spring. SIM’s[1] Tim Kopp says they’re responding to the emergency. “We, as SIM, have been asked to be a part of the relief program. We’ve been asked specifically by the African Evangelical Church, with whom we work. We have been assigned, by local district emergency committees, to particular areas of the country that are vulnerable.” Kopp says many of the people their teams are helping face multiple crises. “AIDS is another very critical concern; again, another contributing factor, simply because those that are orphaned or widowed just don’t have the resources for adequate farming, and that just compounds the need for food, because, in the end, there is nothing. So, this certainly provides a wonderful opportunity for sharing the Gospel and bringing hope in Christ Jesus.”

(India)–Elsewhere, an American evangelist is heading to India for evangelistic meetings despite lack of funds and threats against Christians. Adrian Jones of Mission Evangelism[2] is traveling to Kerala State at the request of believers there. Even though an American was asked to leave Kerala for preaching the Gospel on a tourist visa, Jones is determined. “I didn’t have a bit of trouble getting my visa. I did not spell out in the visa everything I’m going to be doing, but in India, of course. But, I did let them know I was a speaker and that I would be going to do that and do that very thing and that didn’t seem to be a concern to them at all.” Jones says he’s traveling to India by faith. “At this moment in time, we’re 16-thousand dollars short. That’s 16-thousand dollars of 27-thousand, so you can see we have not even reached the half-way point. There have been a lot of people who have responded, but not enough yet to cover the 27-thousand dollar goal that we anticipate we would need over there.” Financial help is needed before February 1st. [3]

(Kenya)–In the wake of riotous presidential elections in Kenya, the populace seems to be settling into a wait-and-see pattern. The government appears to be moving in its quest to bring sanity to a nation that was on the brink of implosion three weeks ago. This in turn, has created a window of opportunity for ministry. Audio Scripture Ministries'[4] Tom Dudenhoffer says they recently launched their Kenya project. “One of our missionaries reported back that free primary education has just been instituted in Nairobi; this is a huge step for the country, and we’re hoping that that continues.” Dudenhoffer says a group of students are working through Nairobi’s rural areas evangelising and using audio Scripture. ASM supplied several Tape-Talk players and the New Testament in Maasai on cassette. Over 400 people committed their lives to Jesus Christ. “So, we’re just asking God to continue to keep things stable and allow the work that’s there to continue to grow and do whatever He wants to have done.”

(USA)–Next, the Jesus Film Project[5] continues to make progress in placing the story of Christ in every language in the world. Jesus Film officials say they ‚’ve translated the film into 777 languages, while 235 other languages are currently in process. They also report there are Jesus Film teams in 101 countries around the world. According to the most recent statistics, five-point-four billion people have seen or heard the Jesus Film, while more than 182-million people have made decisions for Christ.

(Mexico)–And, Evangelical Baptist Mission[6] reports that their teams have launched a new course on “Successful Living” this month in Mexico. This course is designed to reach hearts that need to receive Christ with the truth that God has a marvelous plan for their lives. Ten people enrolled in this series of seven studies. Pray that God will speak to hearts and draw them to the Savior through this incredible opportunity.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SIM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MEV [3]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/01-23-03AdrianJon es.rm [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ASM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM ———————————————————————

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