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(Burundi)–Headlining today’s news, there’s more fighting in Burundi, despite a power sharing agreement that’s effective May 1st. However, Burundi’s main rebel group is stepping up mortar attacks on the capital making it difficult for outreach. World Vision’s[1] Rob Solens they’ve been working in Burundi for years. “We’re trying to maintain our programs and our witness. This is a period of power sharing transition between the Hutu and the Tutsis. We’re committee to sticking it out. If things do deteriorate in Bujumbura we would discuss the possibility of an evacuation, but that’s not at all being considered for the present.” The U-S Embassy has placed a curfew on their diplomats and is urging Americans to move into the city. Solen says the need for aid is great. “There are a lot more refugees both internally and externally right now — people that need support, and that’s probably going to get worse until things stabilize following this transition.”

(China)–Next, China is warning against travel amidst new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome fears. The death rate from SARS more than doubled to five-point-six percent since the epidemic was first detected in mid-March, causing deep concern among health officials. The virus is also creating an obstacle for China Partner Ministries[2] . China Partner’s Erik Burklin explains. “We had to cancel our May teaching team, however, my father and I are still planning on going in May. We feel that at this stage, it is important for us to follow through on our commitments we made earlier in the year. ” Burklin says letting the Chinese church leaders know co-ministry is a priority means they are planning for the future. He asks believers to pray. “Two out of the three cities we are visiting have no reported cases of SARS yet, so we feel good about that report, plus we want to let our brothers and sisters in China know that we are standing with them during this time.”

(Russia)–The gospel continues to spread through the former Soviet Union. Russian Ministries'[3] Sergey Rakhuba says their ministry is reaching Muslim areas near Chechnya. “In that little community where there was no church of any kind, ever before, there is about 100, 120 new believers that rent a former communist hall, where they have their worship service and other church meetings.” Russian Ministries is preparing for their summer camp ministry, reaching out to children and young people. (RAKHUBA :20) Through the 24 official Evangelism and Church Planting Centers that Russian Ministries supports, we are planning to reach out to about five thousand children and Russian youth through evangelistic summer camps. So we want listeners to pray for the support to train enough young leaders to conduct those camps.” Pray as well as that those who attend will accept the Gospel.

(USA)–Meanwhile, one of the goals of the Evangelical Baptist Mission’s[4] U-S ministry continues to be multi-ethnic works, and planting churches. A relatively new field for EBM, personnel say they need help. In the Hispanic ministry, there are requests from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Rhode Island for Spanish-speaking church leaders. Elsewhere, outreach to the African-American community thrives in Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, Kansas, and Missouri. Pray that believers would respond.

(USA)–And, a group of Christians continues to carry on the evangelistic legacy of the Luis Palau Festival.[5] In the summer of 2001, organizers got congregations and individuals in Connecticut to come together and commit to keeping the community impact that the festival created alive. Two years later, Mission Danbury still sees local government and educational officials as well as business and nonprofit company leaders gathering to discuss building healthy communities with their faith.

[1] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=WVI [2] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=CPM [3] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=RMI [4] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=EBM [5] http://www.gospelcom.net/mnn/media/group.php?agencyAb=LPEA ———————————————————————

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