News headlines for February 28th 2003

(India)–Topping the headlines, India’s Gujarat state is bringing in a new law to stop the practice of religious conversion. Other states in the election cycle are seeing the nationalist movement growing stronger. Dave DeGroot is with Mission India of Grand Rapids[1] . “We’re watching the elections very carefully. There is a very strong nationalist Hindu movement that could possibility be moving from one state to another. However, each state has its own complexion; each state is an entity to itself. We have to just take it on a state-to-state basis.” DeGroot says ministry has gotten creative, in spite of the increased risk for those involved with evangelistic work. “One group in Tamil Nadu just had 33 people step forward for baptism and we’re very happy to hear that. These are all people that stepped forward since the new anti-conversion law came into effect. They are going to go across the border into a neighboring state, into a rather remote jungle area, and they’re going to hold the baptism service in a river there.”

(USA)–Next, as President Bush is pushing for federal funding of faith based relief initiatives for the poor, an evangelical organization is pushing for more church involvement. Here’s Life Inner City’s[2] Ted Gandy says churches have a Biblical obligation to get involved. “Many people want to do something, but they don’t know what to do. And so, Here’s Life Inner City recent has put together something called ‘Compassion By Command’ (compassionbycommand.com), which is a innovative video based Bible study designed to motivate and train Christians to reach out to the poor in their communities.” According to Gandy there’s a lot people can do. “Teaching English as a second language. Doing job training, or life skills. Or, they may get involved in childcare. All those things are not ends in themselves, but because they’re caring in a compassionate way for people, it’s a tremendous opportunity to share Christ and lead people to the Lord.”

(Tanzania)–Bolivia’s President has formed a new government after recent protests left 33 dead and hundreds injured. Just seven months in office, there are already calls for his resignation, and rumors of coup plots. Grace Ministries International’s[3] Bolivian team reports that an uneasy calm has returned to the area, but they ask people to pray for the country and their continued work. At the moment, they are safe and have been outside of the areas of the main disturbances, but the unrest forces them to be especially vigilant.

(Papua New Guinea)–Next, JAARS[4] is launching on a one million dollar project, literally. The group needs a helicopter that can transport missionaries and supplies to isolated groups living in the mountains and coastal islands of Papua New Guinea. Because of the rugged terrain, JAARS believes their best tool is a Bell Long Ranger helicopter. With it, JAARS can speed Bible translation by providing quality services for Wycliffe Bible translators and others.

(USA)–And, Worldwide Christian Schools[5] have typically been involved in overseas programs but recently have focused their attention on the poorest Indian reservation in the United States. Spokesman Dale Dieleman, says they hope to help educate and train at-risk Lakota students. “In terms of setting up an alternative vocational school which will also be really understanding more of their own roots and their own cultural heritage as well as leadership skills and even business skills and how to set themselves up in small business, etc.” “The Lakota Training and Leadership Institute” in South Dakota, plans to begin classes this summer. Organizers say they hope to show God’s love through the job skill training, self-esteem building exercises and relationship that are built. “We want to partner with them but not really to take the leadership. Working with basic Lakota values but also interpreting them through the eyes of Christ and through biblical perspectives.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MNI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HLIC [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GMI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JAARS [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WWCS ———————————————————————

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