News headlines for February 12th 2003

(Congo–Kinshasa)–Topping the news, the United Nations says a transitional national government for the Congo will be in place between the end of March and early April. What this new government means for the country’s tinderbox situation, Food For The Hungry’s[1] Ben Homan explains. “People recognize their own sense of fatigue and just wanting this thing to end. So, there is incentive for all parties to get this thing taken care of, and I think that gives us some sense of optimism. The transitional government is going to have to deal with the complexity of the varying Mayi-Mayi guerilla factions.” Homan says their group provides spiritual and physical relief to the war survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “It doesn’t matter what the blockade is and what the impediments are, we are going to go forward and demonstrate God’s love. We’ve been dealing with these bottlenecks and these problems all along the way; it’s not going to stop Food For The Hungry from doing its work.”

(Middle East)–Meanwhile, Arabic speaking believers are being targeted with a devotional radio program that’s helping them grow in their faith. Bible Pathway Ministries[2] , a ministry encouraging Bible reading around the world, is seeing many Christians touched with the program. Bible Pathway’s Karen Hawkins says this is an answer to prayer for many. “In most of these countries there’s no way there’s going to be anyone to disciple them. And, as we show Christ on every page in the Old Testament and we tie the old an New Testament together. In many ways it’s like a Bible school course, like a general survey course of the Bible and it provides a lot of information to people who couldn’t get it otherwise.” Hawkins says these believers can’t be forgotten. “They are under death threats from their own family if it’s known that they are believers. So, pray for their safety. Pray for them to be strong and pray for them to witness even when they have to do it surreptitiously.” Funding is needed so that this ministry can continue.

(Colombia)–Another pastor is singled out and assassinated in Colombia. The Evangelical Council of Colombia says gunmen murdered Reverend Jose’ Lozada Corteza in front of bystanders, after pulling him off a public bus. Authorities think the shooters were members of an illegal armed group fighting the country’s government. Please pray for the safety those in ministry, as they appear to be targeted by the rebels because of the message and peace of the Gospel.

(USA)–Next, a U-S based ministry says they have a three-step plan in place that will put the entire Bible on digital format. The group is hoping to raise enough funding to begin the actual film process, but that mark is far off in the horizon. The issue now becomes an idea for a creative way of fundraising. Mission Network News’ Joel Hill has more. “Chase Adams is working in conjunction with ‘Film The Bible'[3] , a group that needs 660 million dollars to film the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Adams experience as a tax attorney will help local churches and members uncover money that they may not realize they have. “Then perhaps the church may be inclined to share some of that with Film The Bible for being able to provide them with the opportunity to uncover this money.” Adams says utilizing estate planning and other tax planning churches and individuals will help provide for ministries both now and in the future. ‘Film The Bible’ estimates that filming the entire scriptures will cost about 10 million dollars a book. They hope to provide the film in multiple languages to reach as many as they can with the Gospel. I’m Joel Hill for Mission Network News.”

(Costa Rica)–And, Latin America Missionaries[4] ask for prayer this week as they host a regional missionary retreat in Costa Rica. Missionary children from three other countries are also participating. Organizers pray that God will use these retreats to refresh, encourage and inspire their missionaries. Retreats like this are also aimed at increasing the unity of purpose within the Mission to help strengthen those who have committed their lives of reaching others for Christ in Latin America.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FFH [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BPM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FTB [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LAM ———————————————————————

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