News headlines for April 11th 2003

(Iraq/Jordan) — Headlining today’s news, the refugee crisis in Iraq has NOT materialized and now organizations are preparing to move into Iraq when it’s safe to do so. World Vision[1] ‘s Steve Matthews says the plan was to deal with the war victims needs in two phases. “Phase one was to deal with refugees in some of the six countries surrounding Iraq. But, as I say there hasn’t been very many, probably not more than a thousand or so. Phase two of World Vision’s program is go inside Iraq and it looks like World Vision is probably going to be working in an area that is Biblically known as Ninevah.” The assistance is presented as a gift from God. Matthews is asking people to pray. “I think you can pray specifically for the safety of the aid workers over here, because when we do go inside Iraq — that is the most volatile moment for us because there will be a vacuum inside Iraq. It’s expected there will be very volatile situations.”

(Middle East) — Meanwhile, as many people of the dominant religion in the Middle East and North Africa are searching for answers, funding challenges for outreach in this area couldn’t come at a worse time. SAT 7[2] , Christian satellite television for this region, is facing a one-point-two million dollar shortfall. That may mean pulling the plug on the analogue satellite delivery. Sat 7’s Debby Brink. “If we drop the analogue satellite we could likely lose about 70-percent of our viewers throughout North Africa. Since 9-11 we’ve had a 90-percent increase in responses.” Brink says without the funding an incredible missionary voice will be lost. “You can not send missionaries in to speak with people. It’s too dangerous. It’s not allowed. It’s illegal in many countries, but satellite television is the only source of uncensored information getting into this region. People are tuning in.” [3]

(Swaziland) — The HIV/AIDS rate in Swaziland hits a third of the population, but ministry is addressing those needs. Busi Dlanini (BOO-see lah-NEE-nee) ), Trans World Radio[4] ’s Regional coordinator for youth and AIDS programming says they’re responding with the Gospel. “The main problem is that the structures that young people have relied on all along to sustain them are falling apart, and there’s no other supports that young people are getting to get them strengthened and empowered to continue with life.” Mfana Simelane (m’FAHna si-mi-LAH-na) is a Trans World Radio producer for the youth program “Climbing Higher”. He describes their goal and work as a partnership. “The churches have done their part, but, what we have discovered as youth program producers is, churches don’t address the concerns of young people. They just preach the Word, and that’s it. But, then we are addressing the questions that they have day in and day out,[and] so are building up stewards for the Lord. “

(USA) — Next, the two largest evangelical associations in the United States have joined forces to form an alliance to renew interest in evangelism. The National Association of Evangelicals and the Mission America Coalition formed a three-year alliance that will advance evangelism through NAE member churches and organizations. The goal of the alliance is to effectively communicate the Gospel to every citizen in the United States in a way they can understand.

(USA) — And finally, the Jesus Film Project[5] continues to be an incredible tool to reach the lost in countries around the world. According to the latest “JESUS” Film statistics, the story of Christ has been translated into 812 languages making its way into 101 countries. Hundreds of other translations are still in production. Five-point-five billion people have seen or heard the Gospel through ministry and more than 185-million people have made professions of faith.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVO [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SAT7 [3]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/04-11-03DebbyBrin k.rm [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TWR [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=JFP ———————————————————————

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