News headlines for March 4th 2003

(Philippines)–We begin today in the Philippines with sad news of an attack against Christians in the south. According to reports, 14 Christians – including three children — were gunned down recently on the island of Mindanao. Jerry Kitchel is with Open Doors Ministries[1] . “An estimated 50 rebels had come into the village and began to just gun them down. They had also thrown grenades into homes and just blazed the area with bullets. It’s not known at this point what particular extremist group was responsible for that.” Kitchel says this violence shouldn’t have an impact on the church. “Often times, it’s these types of tragedies that really undergird the church and cause them to get closer to God. Many of them come out of the Muslim belief into a close relationship with Christ. And so, they have an eagerness to share their faith with their neighbors.” [2]

(North Korea)–Elsewhere, as the nuclear showdown continues between North Korea and the United States, the propaganda machine has started rolling. On much of North Korea’s media, anti-Americanism has featured prominently. When asked if such sentiments may interfere with their work, Baptist World Aid’s[3] Paul Montecute said they safety lies in being a valued asset in the country’s crisis. “Reports have come out that the nutritional factor amongst children and others has improved, but unless we can continue to get food in there, and medical equipment that is needed, then that trend could soon be reversed again.” Montecute says their ministry is fully fleshed at the point where need meets faith. “It’s a totally atheistic country, and really, there is no opportunity for verbally sharing the Gospel. But we believe that in what we’re offering to people, we are offering them the love of Christ, either in food stuff, or in medicine. They want to know ‘why the concern, why the interest?’ and that’s a clear opportunity to say that, as Christians, we love them.”

(India)–Oppression against Christians isn’t easing in India. That’s the message from MissionEvangelism’s[4] Adrian Jones who just returned from preaching in the state of Kerala where his life was threatened. “A gang of men had sworn to kidnap me and kill me. So, when I got to the crusade site, it was surrounded by police and soldiers with machine guns. It was sort of a hair-raising time for the team.” Jones says religious freedom in India may be changing. “The state of Kerala is getting ready to pass a no conversion law. As I understand it, if you go in there on a tourist visa they won’t allow you to come in and preach at all. You can go in on a preaching visa if they will give that to you, but they’re saying they won’t give that to you either. So, the door is closing.” 67-thousand people heard the Gospel — nearly two-thousand people made professions of faith.”

(International)–And, the words ‘family’ and ‘accountability’ drive the music of the group ‘Brothers Keeper’. More than that, those words drive desire for evangelistic outreach for the band members. That’s according to Gabe Dunlap, one of the vocalists. He explains that’s why they’re part of a fellowship of committed Christians dedicated to making a profound difference in the world, and why the band wholeheartedly supports Christian Blind Mission[5] . “These children that are going blind are defenseless and in these countries, they can’t do anything about it. When they go blind, they’re useless to their people and they’re usually just cast aside and thrown away.” Dunlap states that their support as a band is simply a response to a call to action. “The biggest ministry you have, and the biggest testimony that you can have as a Christian, is to help others out and to show them the love of Christ. By becoming a sponsor or praying for those in the Christian Blind Mission, you are truly acting out your faith.”

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-04-03JerryKitc hel.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BWA [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MEV [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CBM ———————————————————————

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