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(Eritrea)–Headlining today’s news, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan are among the world’s most repressive regimes, with believers reporting widespread persecution in all three countries. Open Doors'[1] Jerry Dykstra says there have been two new brutal attacks against evangelistic Eritrean Christians over the last two weeks. “Although the 1997 constitution of Eritrea guarantees the freedom of religion to all citizens, actually, Eritrea’s government has become increasingly restrictive against newer Protestant churches. So, a lot of churches have been put at risk, facing beatings and arrest.” Dykstra adds, their support of the church carries on, as do their prayers. “We continue to support the church there with Bibles and with training, and a lot of the Christians there have asked us to continue the prayers. Specifically, they pray for protection, they pray for safety, pray for wisdom in shepherding their flock, especially the pastors there.”

(USA) Next, the 53rd National Day of Prayer marks a period in American history that reveals the heart of the people filled with uncertainty. Bible Pathway Ministries'[2] Mike Hall says this is the opportune time to let them hear for themselves what the Bible says. He’s referencing the 13th annual Bible Reading Marathon in Washington D.C. that began 80 hours ago. “People that walk by express grave concerns about terrorism and the threat of terrorism. People are worried and they’re concerned and they’re looking for something to believe in and something to stand on, and that’s what we’re trying to offer by reading the Bible.” Hall hopes participants recognize it is the groundwork for much more. “We believe that reading the Bible lays a foundation, and we do this or 80 hours, prayerfully, hoping that it will be the foundation for the National Day of Prayer. On the National Day of Prayer, there are many religious leaders meeting here, talking to our legislators, and we think that this is the foundation for that day.”

(International)– World Vision[3] representative Princess Zulu of Zambia met with President Bush this week to discuss the global HIV/AIDS crisis. President Bush endorsed legislation to spend 15-billion dollars over the next five years combating AIDS in 14 African and Caribbean countries. Through partnerships with local churches, World Vision is expanding its advocacy work to care for those affected by HIV/AIDS. World Vision reflects God’s love by serving the world’s poorest families in some 100 countries.

(Uganda)–Elsewhere, the recent breakdown of a ceasefire in northern Uganda causes anxiety for some, but hardens the resolve of others. Church leaders, specifically, face longstanding challenges and discouragement. Global Advance’s[4] David Shibley just finished a Frontline Shepherd’s Conference in Kampala, Uganda. He says meeting church leaders reveals hope and a determination to evangelize. “A literal decrease, statistically, in the ravaging AIDS epidemic is because of a very strong evangelical church throughout the nation. There is tremendous hope among the people now. There has been a wonderful cooperative relationship over the last several years between the government and the church.” Shibley says the church leaders are filled with hope; what’s more: “What was most encouraging to me was to see some 15-hundred of these pastors make a public commitment to plant at least one new church within the next year.”

(China)–And, theological training remains a top need of the church in China. China Partner[5] needs additional teachers and pastors to keep up with the growing numbers of new converts. The new Christians need to know how to correctly interpret the Bible and then grow spiritually. China Partner representatives meet this month with officials from Nanjing Theological Seminary to discuss future ministry partnerships to help further enlarge God’s kingdom.

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

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