News headlines for April 14th 2003

(Iraq) — We begin today in Iraq where coalition forces essentially ended the regime of Saddam Hussein. However, Christian radio is playing an important part in helping the Iraqi people. Words of Hope[1] ’s Vice President of Broadcasting Lee DeYoung says their Arabic broadcast is helping people during this conflict. “The main focus – the kingdom of Jesus. The kingdom of truth peace, justice, and self-giving love. A listener from south of Baghdad, a Muslim, wrote ‘thank you for letting our people know that you care. Hate and war is not of the Creator God. Your words give me hope that God will end wars and change the nature of people and the world when Issa returns.’ That’s the name for Jesus in Arabic.” DeYoung is asking people to pray that many more respond. He says Words of Hope also wants to help the Iraqi church. “Our follow up team has contact with a number of churches in Iraq and there is a commitment on our part, that as soon as possible to try to provide some aid for the needs of Christians there for the assembly of the churches in Iraq.” [2]

(Central Asia) — Meanwhile, prayer is the focus of a trip by Sammy Tippit Ministries[3] . Ministry officials are asking people to pray for them as they head to a Central Asian country plagued by war, terrorism and Islam. Tippit says their ministry there will be low key and of an intercessory prayer nature. They will also be distributing materials for Christians inside this country. Pray for protection and that the Lord would give them wisdom as the ministry decides how to have a spiritual impact on this country in the years ahead. [4]

(Russia) — Children are the focus of ministry for Buckner Orphan Care International[5] . Tiffany Taylor just returned from a short-term missions trip to Russia where their team was able to minister to children in 11 orphanages in and around Saint Petersburg. Taylor says nationals do the weekly work, so they go to assist. “You can take a group of Americans over there for a once a year visit, but that’s not going to make a difference in the children. What makes a difference is the on-going commitment that we have through these nationals that are just wonderful young Christians themselves that needed our support, our prayers, all year long.” Taylor says Buckner needs volunteers to help in programs all over the world. “We’re looking for volunteers to go this summer for week long trips where they will work, not with several orphanages, but with one orphanage doing a week long ministry camp, like a Bible study camp for these children.” Buckner also needs volunteers to hold shoe drives.

(Mozambique) — Meanwhile, missionary radio in is having an impact on church growth in Mozambique. Luis Zaqueu (looesh ZAH-kyo) is the national director Trans World Radio[6] Mozambique. From their earliest broadcasts 13 years ago, in the most primitive of studios, hope began, because as people listened to the early broadcasts, they listened in groups, from which new churches were born. “We started a leadership development where we trained people through radio, but also having centers on the ground where they will come and get material. So, where we want to go from here is to duplicate this experience, taking into account that about 75% of our population is illiterate.” Zaqueu hopes to raise the money to expand their signal and Radio Kapital’s programming in order to provide hope to these people, still suffering the effects of a war long past.

(Philippines) — And finally, missionary aviation is an essential part of any missionary effort in areas where getting to the lost is difficult. That’s why New Tribes Mission[7] officials are asking people to pray. NTM Aviation will soon be losing two of their pilots in the Philippines. These aviators serve the islands of Mindanao and Palawan. The flight program is essential to maintaining the ministries to tribal missionaries. Pray that God will send pilot-mechanics to join the team.

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

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/04-14-03LeeDeYoun g.rm [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=STM [4]

http://www.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/ramhurl?f=/mnn/interviews/04-14-03LeeDeYoun g.rm [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=BOC [6] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=TWR [7] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=NTM ———————————————————————

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