News headlines for March 20th 2003

(Jordan)–Our newscast begins today in the Middle East where “Operation Iraqi Freedom” is under way. As war begins in Iraq, humanitarian agencies are preparing for the human cost of conflict. International Aid’s[1] Myles Fish anticipates a flood of people in the Jordan refugee camp. “We’re poised and we’re ready to respond, if and when either the border opens up and we can get into Iraq, or if refugees start coming into Jordan, that we can minister to.” In the scramble ahead of war, people are finding leaving Iraq is a slow process. With so many trapped, Fish now expects they’ll be helping third country nationals. “They are actually employees in most cases, in the oil fields who are either from Egypt or the Sudan and if the war takes the worst case scenario it is predicted that as many as 300-thousand of these third country nationals will need to be leaving Iraq and trying to return to their home by traveling through the country of Jordan.” Fish says this crisis presents an alternate ministry opportunity for sharing the love of Christ.

(International)–Next, with war drums beating, and news of troubled times at the forefront, the international Christian community is facing challenge with the boldness borne of struggle. In that light, the Bible League’s[2] Dave Stravers says they’re working to make sure believers worldwide are equipped with their best tool, the Scriptures. “We’re focusing our efforts in regions of conflict where we have very aggressive, high objective ministries to prepare God’s Word and train people to use it in evangelism; places where there’s a lot of activity in the Muslim population.” Stravers says while it appears that persecution against the church is on the rise, it’s also a matter of perspective. “The global attention given to this is really the new thing for Americans, and it may even be a good thing, because it may help us believers, here in the United States, become more aware of a spiritual battle that’s been raging for a long time.”

(Albania)–The International Crisis Group warns that grave social and economic problems could become tomorrow’s political problems if they are left unaddressed in Albania. Bethany Christian Services'[3] Albania director, Dr. Agim Xhumari (ah-GEEM zhoo-MAR-ee) explains their objective tackles some of those problems directly. “That’s the goal that we are trying to accomplish by our services, where the social workers not only solve together with the people in need, but also empower them make them able to overcome difficult situations in their life.” Xhumari explains that the love of Christ plays a key role in these lives. “Any of the services that Bethany is providing in Albania is [are] based on the Christian principles and is [are] guided through Jesus’ example; (and) by doing the Good Way, showing the good example, (that) Bethany is a Christian agency.” [4]

(Indonesia)–Elsewhere, the Mission Aviation Fellowship[5] -monitored construction of a remote airstrip in eastern Indonesia is complete. The agency now hopes to help with the construction of approximately 50 new houses in two nearby villages with the help of about 60 planned MAF flights carrying materials and workers. Ongoing work in the region will support the local church, including occasional evangelistic outreaches and support for the local pastor.

(International)–And, the Baptist World Alliance[6] has pared back its budget in light of a tough economy and anticipation of decreased funding from the Southern Baptist Convention. BWA authorities say they are looking for solutions to their financial woes because they are not willing to continually use the reserves. The financial difficulties increased when the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee unveiled plans last month for a global initiative that would redirect 30 percent of the funding it has traditionally given to the alliance.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=IAI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BLG [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BCS [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/03-20-03agimzhuma ri.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MAF [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BWA ———————————————————————

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