News headlines for March 12th 2003

(Iraq)–Topping the news, an Arab summit delegation is meeting in Bahrain this week on Iraq’s crisis. Meanwhile, the State Department is removing personnel from border states in the Persian Gulf in the event of an attack on Iraq. In the midst of a looming war, World Bible Translation Center’s[1] Roger Massey reports good news for the Arab church. “Reports that we’re getting back, even from Iraq, [are] that a lot of people are requesting Bibles they want to know more about Christianity. There’s a rise, especially among young people, of interest in Christianity and willing to look at it and listen to what it really is”, which sets the stage for distribution of the easy-to-read Arabic portions of Scripture throughout the area. Massey says with the plight facing the Arab regions, prayer is needed for continued openness so that, “…when the Gospel, or even a portion of it comes into their hands, that they’d be able to read it and understand it for what it truly is; not a propaganda piece, but a way to eternal life with the creator of their souls.”

(Mozambique)–Meanwhile, a cyclone in Mozambique killed 11 and left thousands homeless last week. However, the natural disaster isn’t stopping OC International[2] from doing its work. Jim DeVries says the cyclone hit as the country is still recovering from incredible flooding from a couple of years ago. “We all saw the pictures of the flooding. Churches (were) washed away and pastors’ homes were destroyed. That increases the physical need, but the spiritual need is still very real throughout the country. And, there is a need for many new churches, but also need for training leaders and pastors for those churches.” Because of that need, DeVries says OCI is responding. “After having ministered in Mozambique for over 10 years, training pastors and leading workshops and seminars for church leaders, this is the first time we have actually a resident team in Mozambique.” Funding is needed to help establish an office for the program.

(Haiti)– For Haiti with Love[3] now has a prison ministry. The Director of Prisons came to the headquarters to ask for help, explaining he had run out of both food and money for the 300 prisoners behind bars. The clinic, the workers and their testimony had impressed him. For Haiti was eager to help, knowing the inmates would now learn how God helps even those in prison. Please continue to pray they have the resources to continue what they have been doing, plus help the firefighters and now the prisoners.

(International)–Next, the Association of Christian Schools International[4] is calling all member schools to participate in a ‘Day of Hope’ next month. They want to raise awareness of what God is doing in the lives of students through Christian schooling around the world and to give students an opportunity to give to other students through prayer and financial support. The schools are designating one day in April to pray and give to strengthen Christian schooling worldwide.

(USA)–And finally, Life Action Revival Ministries[5] is expanding its renewal ministry to reach out to pastors in the United States. Life Action’s Byron Paulus says something the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, Bill Bright, said recently has encouraged this outreach. “He said the greatest crisis in America today is its pastors. And, he went on to say that half of the pastors in America today will end up in a divorce or a broken marriage. And, he said half the pastors today are addicted to pornography. We’re seeing in our ministry in the surveys that we’re taking up to half the pastors are ready to leave the ministry.” Paulus says in response, Life Action, based in southwest Michigan, will be hosting several pastors’ retreats beginning May 12th. “My greatest need is not to learn more truth, but it’s to obey the truth I already have and to wait upon the Lord and to meet with Him and let Him meet with me. So, we have a four-day and a 10-day gathering that we have on the calendar in the years to come.”

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WBTC [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=OCI [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=FHWL [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=ACSI [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LARM ———————————————————————

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