News headlines for March 13th 2003

(Iraq)–With the UN draft resolution in the news, Iraq is taking pains to shield its national treasures in the likely event of war. SAT-7’s[1] Ron Ensminger says the people are trying to ready themselves, but the pressure is taking its toll. “The increased tensions, the increased uncertainty, the lack of hope, the effect of the long-lasting sanctions that have been in the region are driving the people to look for answers. [And,] They’re finding reasons for hope in Christian television and they’re calling and they’re asking for answers to their questions; they’re asking for copies of the Bible.” Ensminger says the church is also responding to the increasing spiritual needs. “It is not illegal to be a Christian in Iraq. There are evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox churches who meet openly, and SAT-7 is committed to supporting them through Christian television programming that supports the whole family, and it’s produced in their language in the region.” [2]

(Central Asia)–Next, as war looms in Iraq, mission organizations in Central Asia are also preparing. Bible Mission International’s[3] Mark Reimschisel says the violence could actually help them in their efforts to reach the lost. “They’re seeing that followers of Islam don’t have good things happening to them. And, the folks there want to know, well if that’s the religion of peace, why is all this destruction coming on them? And, it creates some real opportunities for them to question, why they would want to be followers of Islam.” According to Reimschisel, the heightened tensions in the region won’t force Bible Mission out of Central Asia. “The propaganda machine in that part of the world is billing this as a war against Muslims. And so, there is some heighten anticipation and caution being exercised by the folks there. But, they realize they have a mission that has to be accomplished and that is taking the unchangeable word of God to the people within its borders.” [4]

(Philippines)–The on-going violence in the Philippines is making it difficult for mission groups to share the Gospel and help people recover from previous wars and conflicts. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee[5] says community programs begin to fail when family members are killed or when people are afraid to go out. CRWRC established programs to build bridges and ease tensions between Christians and Muslims in the Philippines.

(India)–Meanwhile, court action has halted a Gujarat government survey of Christians and their activities. Authorities have admitted to trying to keep tabs on believers, this being their third attempt in four years. Yet, Walk Through The Bible’s[6] Terry Sparks says World Teach is growing in India in spite of complications caused by a growing Hindu nationalism. “State by state, they’re passing laws that makes conversion illegal, and yet, our ministry with our nationals there is continuing on, and they probably taught twice as many people during the year 2002 as they did in the year 2001.” In light of the anti-conversion movement, Sparks says their teams need prayer support. “Their attitude is that ‘This is not going to stop us’ and basically, ‘the church thrives in persecution. If this is what it takes for us to be more committed to the Lord, then, so be it’.”

(International)–And, the JESUS Film Project[7] has become the most translated film in the history of motion pictures. Workers have translated the film into 807 languages but that also means 1,071 language projects still remain. The JESUS Film teams are made up of national staff members who show the film several times a week to expose their countrymen to the Gospel message. Leaders still have the goal of giving every person at least one chance to see The JESUS Film.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SAT7 [2]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-13-03ronensmin ger.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BMN [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-13-03markreims chisel.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CRWRC [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WTTB [7] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP ———————————————————————

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STORIES ABOVE, EMAIL US AT OR CALL OUR RESOURCE LINE AT 800-995-4828!

Mission Network News, a service of Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. http://www.MNNonline.org

SUPPORT MISSION NETWORK NEWS at http://www.MNNonline.org/support or write Mission Network News 1159 E. Beltline NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 USA

Visit our Short Term Missions Database at http://www.stmdb.org to find short term opportunities around the world.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).