News headlines for April 16th 2003

(N. Africa) — We begin today with a story from Africa that could have a huge impact on the Muslim world. Global Advance[1] recently completed two Frontline Shepard’s conferences in northern Kenya. Global Advances’ David Shibley says pastors in that region gathered together and made a significant pledge. “They made such a strong commitment to planting churches in the Islamic world. And, in both conferences in both Isiolo and Kukuyu where almost 1,200 pastors came together, they determined that they would go into the northern nations of Africa.” Shibley says this could be the turning point for evangelism in these countries that have long been closed to the Gospel. “The only way into some of the unreached peoples of northern Africa are if fellow Africans will go to them with the Gospel. Many times it is almost and impossibility for North Americans to go and in particularly in a heighten climate of hostility.”

(Kosovo) — Next, Kosovars in Serbia are remembering the four-year anniversary of their liberation and many are thanking the United States. Marie Waldschmidt is with Greater Europe Mission[2] and is working in the region and says the Kosovars are empathetic to the Iraqi people. “They themselves experienced the bombing as being a liberation and they’re thankful that they have peace right now. They believe the Iraqi people will better understand a few years from now – that many of them don’t understand now, but they’ll be very thankful later. And so, I would say over 90-percent of the population here is very supportive of Americans.” That support has opened many doors to share the Gospel as reconstruction continues there. “We’re just able to help them practically with relief and communicate God’s love to them. There’s a presence and an openness and an opportunity like there has never been in this nation for 100 years at least.”

(Ivory Coast) — While civil war battered Ivory Coast continues to struggle with a power sharing government, local Christian radio is helping in reconciliation efforts. Life Radio, owned by SIM International[3] , is operated by Ivorian nationals. It was recently rated the third most listened to station in Abidjan. The station responded to the recent political turmoil by airing short messages talking about reconciliation, peace and pardon. The hope is that listeners will be reconciled with God and then with one another.

(USA) — Meanwhile, a ministry to the inner city is reaching out to children this Easter season. Here’s Life Inner City[4] ‘s Ted Gandy says they will be handing out Easter Bags to the needy. Gandy says the bags are full of… “…Candy, fruit and crayons a toy, plus Bible activities designed for children with very little background. And, we’ve been having packing parties in 12 cities putting those together. This Easter we’ll do over 36,000 of those Easter bags reaching out to children with both the Good News, but also of something to real value to them.” According to Gandy, churches coordinate the effort. He says it softens hearts allowing the Gospel to be shared. Gandy says one entire family was transformed. “The whole family began going to church and that initial contact allowed the church to have a continuing relationship with the family. Eventually the entire family came to faith and they’re now actively involved in the church.” A gift of 36-dollars provides a bag for six children.

(Dominican Republic) — And finally, MissionEvangelism[5] is taking James 1:27 seriously. They’ve decided to care for orphans in Barahona, Dominican Republic – 300 of them. MissionEvangelism’s Adrian Jones says his organization has decided to help support a Dominican pastor and his wife who are taking care of these six to 15 year olds. Jones says MissionEvangelism is raising funds to provide food, medicine, and clothing which will also allow them to share the Gospel with these abandoned children.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GAM [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=GEM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=SIM [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=HLIC [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=MEV ———————————————————————

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